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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