Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta belli)

Western Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta belli
Name	Western Painted Turtle
Name Lat.	Chrysemys picta belli
Family	Pond Turtles & Box Turtles
Family lat.	Emydidae
Order	Turtles
Order lat.	Testudines
Origin	North America
Habitat	Rivers, lakes, swamps
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	12-18 cm
Temperature	25-28 °C
Temperature Local	35-40 °C
Housing Size	100 x 50 x 50 cm
US Units
Size	5"-7"
Temperature	77-82 °F
Temperature Local	95-104 °F
Housing Size	40" x 20" x 20"

Distribution and habitat

The diurnal western ornate turtles are widespread in the western United States, from Ontaria to Illinois. There they live in slowly flowing waters, but also in oxbows, lakes and ponds with dense vegetation.

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 100 x W 50 x H 50 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	22-28 °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

Juveniles feed mainly on animal food, whereas adults feed mainly on plant food. The food supply consists of insect larvae, earthworms, meal beetle larvae, fish pieces, supplemented with pelleted or freeze-dried ready-made food. Frozen food is also well accepted. In addition, they absolutely need vegetable food, such as lettuce, dandelion, endive, and water plants (e.g. waterweed). Adults should be offered animal food no more than twice a week. It is important to regularly add minerals and vitamins.

A regular and varied diet promotes good health.

Reproduction and breeding

Males are usually much smaller and have straight elongated front claws and a longer tail than females. The anal opening of the male is closer to the tip of the tail.

A small, sandy patch of land is necessary for oviposition (1-17 eggs). Incubation period is 66-114 days at a temperature of 23-30 °C.

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

Due to their wide distribution area, the coloration and pattern can vary depending on the origin. They stay mainly in the water and usually come ashore only for sunbathing.

In summer, the animals can be kept in an outdoor facility.

Winter hibernation can take place in water or earth-moist substrate.

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: petdata; Image: Franz Lowak

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