Southern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta dorsalis)

Southern Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta dorsalis
Name	Southern Painted Turtle
Name Lat.	Chrysemys picta dorsalis
Family	Pond Turtles & Box Turtles
Family lat.	Emydidae
Order	Turtles
Order lat.	Testudines
Origin	SE-USA
Habitat	Rivers, ponds
Diet	Fish, insects, plants
Humidity	60-80 %
Behavior	♂ aggressive
Keeping	Individual, harem
Care Level	Moderate
Reproduction	Oviparous
Housing	Aquaterrarium
Life Span	15-20 years
Protection	EU Annex B
Metric Units
Size	10-15 cm
Temperature	25-30 °C
Temperature Local	35-40 °C
Housing Size	80 x 40 x 40 cm
US Units
Size	4"-6"
Temperature	77-86 °F
Temperature Local	95-104 °F
Housing Size	30" x 15" x 15"

Distribution and habitat

The range of the southern ornate turtle is the southeastern United States, from Texas to Alabama. They live in slow-moving and stagnant waters with soft bottoms and dense vegetation, as well as sheltered basking areas on the shores.

Maintenance

Minimum dimensions for the aquaterrarium, according to the size and number of animals

floor space for 1-2 animals: 5PL x 2,5PL (L x W)

Water level: 2PB

The carapace length (PL) and carapace width (PB) is measured on the largest animal. For each additional animal, increase the footprint by 10%, and for the 5th animal and larger, increase the footprint by 20%. A terrarium of e.g. L 80 x W 40 x H 40 cm is recommended, which should be placed in a quiet and vibration-free place.

It needs a spacious, well structured aquaterrarium. The water part, with a soft, muddy substrate, should be structured with roots, aquatic plants and larger stones (visual barriers and hiding places), some of which reach the water surface. In addition, they need a land part for drying, which is equipped with a soft, muddy-sandy bottom ground, with plants and roots, and with sunny places. To maintain water quality, a powerful filter with low flow is recommended, as well as frequent water changes.

	Water Temp	lighting	Sunny
Summer	20-28 °C	12-14 hrs.	35-40 °C
winter (2-3 months)	8-15 °C	6-8 hrs

They need daily UV irradiation and sunny places with radiant heat.

Diet

The diet consists of insect larvae, snails, earthworms, mealworm larvae, shrimp, fish pieces, scraped beef or liver, supplemented with pelleted or freeze-dried ready-to-eat food. Frozen food is also well accepted. Be sure to offer lettuce, dandelion, endive and aquatic plants (e.g. waterweed). Young animals should be offered food daily, adults twice a week. Regular addition of minerals and vitamins is important

A regular and varied diet promotes health and prevents deficiency symptoms.

Reproduction and breeding

Males have a concave ventral carapace and a much thicker tail than females. The anal opening of the male is closer to the tip of the tail than in the female.

A small, sandy patch of land is required for oviposition (1-18 eggs). The incubation period is 61-77 days at a temperature of 28-30 °C

Life expectancy can be 15-20 years.

Species protection

The animal population must be reported in writing to the competent authority immediately after the start of keeping. Subsequently, all arrivals and departures must be reported.

Protection of species: EU Annex B. The proof of purchase is the required proof of origin for the animal. Please keep it safe! Your pet store will be happy to provide you with further information.

Important

The air temperature must always be at least 2-3 °C higher than the water temperature

Winter hibernation can take place in water or earth-moist substrate. The animals can be kept in an outdoor facility during the warm summer months

In order not to distort the native fauna, they must not be released into the wild under any circumstances

The terrarium must have good ventilation without drafts and meet the species-specific needs. Measuring devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, etc. are necessary. The lighting has to correspond to the species-specific day-night rhythm and has to be placed in such a way that the animals cannot injure themselves. The terrarium should be locked in such a way that neither unauthorized persons can open it nor the animals can escape. Contamination must be removed regularly.

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Christian Sänger; Image: Stephan Böhm

Source: BMELV (1997): Tierschutzgutachten - Mindestanforderungen an die Haltung von Reptilien; ENGELMANN (2006): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Reptilien und Amphibien, Harri Deutsch Verlag; ROGNER (2009): Taschenatlas Schildkröten, Verlag Ulmer

• Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF