Chrysemys picta dorsalis

Male   3½” - 5"            Female   5½” - 7"

In the wild, they feed upon fish, insects, carrion and plant matter.

Air Temperature:  Low to mid 80's

Basking Temperature:  High 80's to low 90's

Water Temperature:  Low to mid 70's

Soft-bottomed shallow ponds, marshes, lakes and creeks

Illinois and Missouri, Mississippi River to the Gulf Coast, into Alabama and Louisiana.

Yes

These are extremely aggressive baskers, so a basking spot is required. UVB lighting is needed as well as a heat lamp over the basking spot. A submersible heater is recommended if the water temps fall below the recommendation. They are excellent swimmers and their captive habitat should have a water depth as deep as possible. Substrate should be anywhere from a sand to a fine-to-medium size gravel.

Recommended size for a single adult Chrysemys picta dorsalis would be a 40 gallon aquarium as a minimum (55 or larger preferred) for males, and a 55 gallon aquarium as a minimum (75 or larger preferred) for females. This will provide adequate swimming area, as well as assisting the filtration in maintaining good water quality. For additional Chrysemys picta dorsalis, I would recommend adding 20 gallons of tank space per additional male, and adding 40 gallons of tank space for each additional female at a minimum.

Stock Tanks and Rubbermaid containers also work well. The same space recommendations remain the same.

In captivity, they do well on Mazuri and ReptoMin, Reptile/Pond 10, Cichlid Sticks, aquatic plants, fish, veggies, snails, crickets and assorted worms and insects.

Chrysemys picta dorsalis is a great turtle for a community habitat with Sliders, Cooters, Map Turtles and other Painted Turtles.

Southern Painted Turtles are aggressive baskers and are extremely personable turtles. They are a hearty species and most seem to adjust well to change.