How to Take Care of a Baby Painter Turtle

Chrysemys picta, more commonly known as painted turtles, or painter turtles, are a species of small aquatic turtles that are commonly kept as pets. Painted turtles are hardy, resilient pets that become quite tame over time, even learning to recognize their owners. Like most baby animals, baby painted turtles have specific requirements that must be met in order for the animal to thrive. Though caring for a baby painted turtle is a big commitment, it is also enjoyable and rewarding.

Things You'll Need

  • 20-gallon aquarium
  • River rock aquarium gravel
  • Submersible aquarium heater
  • Aquarium filter
  • Spring, filtered or purified water
  • 10 to 12 fist-sized rocks
  • 100-watt aquarium light
  • Aquatic plants
  • Turtle food pellets
  • Worms, crickets or fish
  • Red lettuce, kale or collard greens
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare a habitat for your baby painted turtle in a 20-gallon aquarium. Line the bottom of the aquarium with a 2- to 3-inch layer of river rock aquarium gravel. Position a submersible heater and filter in the aquarium before adding your water.

    • 2

      Fill the aquarium with 6 inches of spring, filtered or purified water. Note that, if you are using tap water, you should let the water sit for at least 24 hours to allow chemicals such as chlorine to dissipate.

    • 3

      Stack a dozen or so fist-sized rocks on one side of the aquarium to give your baby painted turtle a dry place to sun itself. Clip a 100-watt aquarium light to the side of the aquarium and position it so that the light shines on the basking rocks.

    • 4

      Add aquatic plants such as water lettuce, duckweed, water hyacinth and sensitive fern to the aquarium to give your turtle places to hide and something to snack on between meals.

    • 5

      Set the submersible aquarium heater to warm the water to between 78 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the baby painter turtle in the aquarium when the water reaches the desired temperature.

    • 6

      Feed the baby painted turtle every day to ensure that it is receiving the nutrients it needs for healthy growth. Supplement a regular diet of commercial turtle food pellets with crickets, worms, fish, red lettuce, kale and collard greens.

    • 7

      Change the water in the aquarium as often as necessary to keep it clean and prevent it from stagnating. Be aware that dirty, stagnant water can increase your turtle's risk of developing shell or skin infections.