Reptile
Midland Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta marginataMidland Painted Turtles are dark-shelled freshwater turtles marked with yellow head stripes and red or orange lines on the limbs. This subspecies typically has alternating shell scutes and a patterned lower shell with a central dark blotch.
freshwater turtlebaskingwetland
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAquatic insects, snails, small fish
Predators
- raccoons
- large fish
- herons
ThreatsRoad mortality, wetland loss, illegal collection, fishing gear, and nest predation
HabitatsPonds, marshes, slow rivers, and lakes with soft bottoms and basking sites
Life spanOften twenty to forty years, with some individuals living longer
Classification
- FamilyEmydidae
- SpeciesChrysemys picta marginata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskModerate
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is moderate
- Wild turtles can bite and carry Salmonella even when they appear healthy.
- Why it is dangerous
- Handling can trigger a defensive bite and expose people to Salmonella carried on turtle surfaces.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Confirm yellow head stripes, red limb markings, and the midland pattern on the lower shell.
- What to do
- Avoid handling; if emergency movement is essential, keep fingers away from the head and wash hands thoroughly.
Responsible observation
- Watch: Use binoculars so basking turtles do not abandon logs and waste energy.
- Protect: Never move a turtle except directly across an immediate roadway hazard.
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