The Behavior of a Painted Turtle

Painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) have dark shells with bright red markings underneath the carapace and yellow stripes on their olive-green skin. They can grow to be as large as 10 inches.

  1. Diurnal Behavior

    • Painted turtles are diurnal, or awake during the day. They spend their nights sleeping in the mud at the bottom of freshwater lakes, streams or ponds and can be found basking on logs or rocks during the daytime.

    Courtship

    • According to the Turtle Conservation Project, males initiate courtships with females by stroking the female's cheeks with their front claws.

    Hibernation

    • Painted turtles that live in colder climates hibernate during the winter months, but they can sometimes be seen swimming under the ice in late winter just before the ice begins to melt.

    Communication

    • Painted turtles have poor hearing, but they have an excellent sense of smell and communicate with each another through touch.

    Diet

    • Painted turtles are omnivorous. They eat aquatic plants, insects and dead animal matter.

    Painted Turtles as Pets

    • Painted turtles can become docile in captivity and can be fed by hand, but they do not enjoy being handled.