How Fast Do Painted Turtles Grow?

Painted turtles are a popular reptilian pet due to their small sizes and low maintenance. Knowing how quickly your painted turtle grows will allow you to anticipate the needs of your turtle.

  1. Hatching Time

    • Painted turtle eggs can take up to 60 days to hatch after the mother nests. Females generally hatch sooner than males, by an average of 14 days.

    The First Years

    • For the first decade of life, painted turtles grow rapidly. Within the first year alone painted turtles can gain almost 10 grams of weight.

    Female Maturity

    • Female painted turtles reach maturity anywhere within six to 10 years of life. Females will also grow much larger than male painted turtles within this time span, with their lower shell growing to sizes of 100 to 130 millimeters.

    Male Maturity

    • Male painted turtles can reach maturity within the first three to five years of their lives. Males have a lower-shell growth spurt of 70 to 90 millimeters during their years to maturity.

    Old Age

    • Growth in painted turtles slows significantly after the first decade of life. Throughout their lifespan of 35 to 40 years, your turtle should not exceed seven to eight inches.