Painted Turtle
The painted turtle is Colorado's state reptile and can be found along the eastern half of the state.
About This Species
The painted turtle is an abundant, native aquatic species. Fossil records show painted turtles have inhabited North America for 15 million years.
While easily confused with the red-eared slider, painted turtles have flatter, smoother shells and is lacking the red streak on the side of its head.
More Information:
Physical Characteristics
Hard, smooth, somewhat flat shell; bright yellow lines on head and limbs; lower shell orange or reddish, with dark markings (most conspicuous in juveniles); upper shell often with narrow yellow lines (less yellow in larger individuals), less often with network of dark lines; upper jaw notched at tip; upper shell of female up to about 10 inches, though rarely more than eight inches; males much smaller.
Mature male
Vent located beyond rear edge of upper shell carapace when tail is extended; claws on front feet very long; lower shell flat.
Mature female
Vent at or inside rear edge of carapace when tail is extended; claws on front feet relatively short.
Hatchling
Upper shell keeled; lower shell vivid orange/red, with a central dark figure having a sinuous outer edge.
Range
Found throughout most of eastern Colorado, locally in La Plata and Archuleta counties in southwestern Colorado. Introduced and established in several areas in western Colorado. Common.
Habitat
Permanent ponds, reservoirs, marshes, river backwaters, slow-moving streams, and nearby temporary waters such as those that are seasonally flooded. Favors waters with a soft bottom, abundant aquatic vegetation, and partially submerged logs or other places for basking. Often many bask on a single log.
Reproduction
Nests in sunny areas up to several hundred yards from water. A female may lay more than one clutch of eggs in a single year and may skip a year between nestings. Most hatchlings overwinter in the nest and emerge the following spring. Painted turtles reach sexual maturity at two to nine years for males and six to 16 years for females.