ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Midland Painted Turtle

 Midland Painted Turtle

midland painted turtle

Midland painted turtles are among the most abundant and certainly the most conspicuous turtles in Ohio. They are particularly fond of basking and can be seen by the dozens on logs and along the banks of most bodies of water through the summer.

There are several subspecies of painted turtles in the United States, but only the midland painted turtle occurs in Ohio.
 

Midland Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta marginata

At-a-Glance

• Peak Breeding Activity: May-July

• Incubation: 10-11 weeks

• Number of offspring: 4-15

• Typical Foods: plants, fish, and aquatic insects
Description
The deep green carapace is brightly patterned with red and black along the underside of the marginal plates. The patterns look as if they were painted on by hand.

Habitat and Habits
Painted turtles prefer quiet and shallow freshwater. With the coming of winter, midland painted turtles seek deeper water, and burrow into the mud or debris at the bottom. The small amount of oxygen they need is absorbed from the water through the inner lining of the mouth and cloaca.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
The reproductive biology of turtles is fascinating. With the exception of softshell turtles, the sex of all species of Ohio turtles is dependent on the temperature at which the eggs develop. For instance, snapping turtle eggs that develop at about 77oF will all hatch out as males, while eggs that develop at much higher or lower temperatures will all hatch out as females. In the wild, warmer eggs at the top of a nest may all hatch out as females, while cooler eggs at the bottom hatch out as males.