Species Reptiles & AmphibiansSouthern Painted Turtle

Southern Painted Turtle

Chrysemys dorsalis

UncommonReptile & Amphibian
Illustration of Southern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys dorsalis)

The Southern Painted Turtle is recognizable by its distinctive red or orange dorsal stripe. A small aquatic turtle, it thrives in warm, slow-moving water bodies.

Habitat
Found in ponds, marshes, and rivers with soft, muddy bottoms.
Diet
Omnivorous, feeding on aquatic vegetation, insects, and small fish.
How common
Uncommon

Best time to see a Southern Painted Turtle

The best time to see a Southern Painted Turtle is February–May, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 574 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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Recent Southern Painted Turtle sightings near you

Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.

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