On a trip around the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge this past week-end I noticed a number of turtles basking in the sun on a log in a pond of water beside a gravel road. On a closer look I noticed the turtles were painted turtles. The Painted Turtle is the only species of turtle that occurs naturally in Idaho so identifying them is simple. Although, due to escaped pets and introduced species, one must become familiar with the general characteristics of Painted Turtles to avoid confusing them with such turtles a Box Turtles, and Red-eared Sliders (both common pet species).

Painted Turtles are easily recognizable, their plastron (under-side) neck and limbs are so brightly colored with yellow or red lines and markings that the common name seems very appropriate. The carapace (hard upper shell of a turtle) is usually a solid olive to black color but some light yellow vertebral lines can be seen. The plastron or underside of the Painted Turtle contrasts sharply with the dull top shell. Like all turtles, Painted Turtles lack teeth, and have ridges or row of tubercules parallel with the margin of the jaw.

WHERE THEY LIVE

Painted Turtles are found in shallow lakes and ponds, as well as in slow moving streams and rivers. Aquatic vegetation is usually present and the turtles will use this as cover to escape capture; the body of water will often have some floating debris, fallen logs and branches that provide basking sites for the turtles. Except for the female traveling over land for egg-laying, Painted Turtles are seldom found on land.

All of the Painted Turtles I observed were found in slow-moving, shallow water (streams, marshes, ponds, lakes, or creeks) containing soft bottom, suitable basking sites, and aquatic vegetation. The turtles are known to colonize seasonally-flooded areas near permanent water.

LIFE CYCLE OF A PAINTED TURTLE

Post hatching, the off springs rest in the yolks of the egg itself. The younger ones grow rapidly. In fact the development of the females are faster than that of the male. Mating may occur in fall and spring. Most nesting occurs from late May to early July. Females often produce more than 1 clutch per year, clutch size ranges from 8-19 eggs. Generally hatchlings winter in their nest and emerge in spring. In the case of the Painted Turtle, the males reach their sexual maturity between 2 to 4 years while females between 6-10 years. The life span of a Painted Turtle is usually around 20 years.

The Painted Turtle hibernates in water in bottom mud and is most active during the day from March through October, though warm weather may stimulate activity in other months. Evening activity on land may occur during nesting. Eggs and hatchlings incur high mortality from various predators. Population density in ponds and lakes varies greatly; some areas may contain up to several hundred individuals, other areas may have a few as a dozen. They search for food on water bottom or among aquatic plants.

As summer progresses and you enjoy the out of doors remember that as the water warms, turtles spend less time basking in the sun and more time searching for food. They feed on aquatic food, bugs, algae, insects, earthworms and snails.

During the night, Painted Turtles swim down to the bottom of their pond and rest in the mud.

The turtles feel comfortable there because the water has a more constant temperature than the night air and there is less fear of predators.

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