Painted Turtle

Description:

This Painted Turtle hatchling is 1 and 1/2 inches, has a smooth, dark olive green, oval shell, legs & head are black with yellow stripes. The underside has bright orange, yellow and black patterning. The females grow to 10 inches in length while the males grow to 7 inches long.

Habitat:

Spotted at Tamarac near Pine Lake. Painted Turtles are primarily aquatic and live in shallow pools, marsh, wet meadows, slow moving streams, lake shores. They prefer a soft muddy bottom that is rich in aquatic vegetation. insects, small tadpole & fish.

Notes:

I wonder if this is a late hatcher that stayed in the nest until spring. Most Painted Turtles at Tamarac NWR lay their eggs in June which hatch in 72 days, usually in late August through early September.