Western Painted Turtle

1 Overview

The Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) is the largest of the painted-turtle subspecies. Juveniles are vivid and cheap (around RMB 100-120), making it one of the most common water turtles in the trade.

SOURCE NOTE: the source gave the trinomial Chrysemys picta bellii, retained here. Its net-like dark pattern on the carapace and complex yellow/red plastron markings are signature features.

2 Appearance

A small water turtle (carapace 10-25 cm, this subspecies usually >17.8 cm and up to 25 cm). The smooth, flattened shell ranges green to black with red markings on some forms; the plastron is yellow to reddish with branching dark seams. Skin is black to olive with yellow/red stripes on neck, limbs and tail and yellow head stripes. Males have elongated front claws and thick tails; females are larger.

3 Care & Temperament

They are rather pugnacious – not suited to groups, and mixing with other water turtles risks tail-biting and damage, so keep singly. Hatchlings can be raised with a heater year-round; adults may brumate naturally after a heavy autumn feeding and a pre-hibernation fast.

4 Habitat & Environment

They need cleaner water than red-eared sliders and a basking area (they are aquatic but must dry out). Keep water 26-28 C with UVB and a heater; use a filter and change part of the water regularly to avoid shell/skin disease.

5 Diet & Feeding

Feed live foods (bloodworms, dried shrimp, earthworms, chopped fish/shrimp, morio/mealworms, insects) over pellets. They eat a lot – twice daily, timed and measured. Feeder fish are the best calcium source (soft bones digest fully); avoid raw pork and organs (parasites). Never feed cooked, salty or fatty food.