They can be maintained indoors or out, and adequate protection from predators as well as escape prevention measures should be provided in either case. Stock tanks, glass aquariums, plastic totes and garden ponds can all be appropriate housing for individuals or groups of painted turtles. Painted turtles are adaptable and can be housed in virtually any suitably sized tank.
As the turtle(s) reach adulthood and beyond they should be provided with a minimum of 20 gallons of water volume for the first turtle, with an additional 10 gallons of water volume for each additional turtle. Increase the volume of water by 5 gallons for each additional baby turtle. This does not mean a 10-gallon tank, but at least a 15- or 20-gallon tank partially filled with 10 gallons of water. At a minimum, a single baby or juvenile painted turtle should be provided about 10 gallons of water volume. Because they are active and able swimmers, painted turtles should be provided with a tank as spacious as possible. Paul Vander Schouw Hatchling painted turtles such as this can be kept in an enclosure large enough to provide 10 gallons of water, along with a haul-out area where the turtle can completely dry off. Although the painted turtle tank bottom can be left bare, substrate (sand, gravel, etc.) can be used for a more natural appearance, but choose a particle size that is either too large to be swallowed or so small that it will pass easily through your painted turtle’s digestive tract. Non-toxic live or plastic plants can be provided for hiding and to forage among, although painted turtles will eventually shred any live plants whether they eat them or not. An underwater hiding place should be provided, as well, with care taken to ensure that the painted turtle cannot get trapped and drown. A basking area, upon which the painted turtle can leave the water completely, complete with a good basking light to help it thermoregulate, is an absolute must. While it would be difficult for most keepers to provide water that is too deep, the depth should never be less than about twice the width of the turtle’s shell. Painted Turtle Housing Housing for painted turtles can be as elaborate or as simple as you choose to make it, but there are some minimal housing requirements that must be addressed. Given proper diet, housing, and care, you can reasonably expect a painted turtle to live for 25 to 30 years. Painted Turtle Life Span Painted turtles have been known to live as long as 50 years in captivity, so they can truly be (nearly) lifelong companions. Males do not usually get quite as big as females, but their size difference is not significant. Eastern and midland painted turtles are in between, maxing out at around 7 inches. Large western painted turtles rarely exceed 8 inches in length, and southern painted turtles are not normally larger than 6 inches. Jason Patrick Ross/Shutterstock There are reports of painted turtles living for up to 50 years in captivity! Painted Turtle Size Besides their attractive coloration, another appealing aspect of painted turtles is their manageable adult size. However, given the significant numbers of babies hatched yearly, they are typically available for most of the year and prices are very affordable. As with most temperate species, their breeding season is restricted to spring and summer, so captive-bred babies are most commonly available from May through September. Painted Turtle Availability Painted turtles breed readily in captivity, and are frequently produced by hobbyists and turtle farms alike. Although their native ranges vary (hence, their common names), their habits and captive care requirements are very similar. bellii) and the southern painted turtle (C. marginata), the western painted turtle (C. There are four types of painted turtles: the eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta picta), the midland painted turtle (C. Inhabiting practically any slow-moving or still body of freshwater within their range makes painted turtles one of the most commonly encountered turtles, and their vivid coloration makes them one of the most recognizable.
Their range extends from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic coast and from Canada to northern Mexico, making them one of the most widespread species, as well. dorsalis) Well deserving of their common name, painted turtles are one of the most attractive varieties of pond turtle native to North America. DeBoer/Shutterstock Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta ssp. By Paul Vander Schouw Painted turtles are very attractive aquatic turtles with a far-reaching range within the U.S.