Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)
Description: Carapace smooth and longer than wide. Colour is black, brown, or olive, often with light yellow markings. Ventral surface of shell also smooth, bright red with a large black branched central blotch. Head, tail and limbs greenish with yellow lines or spots.
Habitat: Found in ponds, lakes and streams with muddy bottoms, slow-moving water and abundant aquatic vegetation. May spend time out of the water basking.
Feeding: Juveniles feed mostly on small invertebrates. Adult prey includes fish and frogs, also vegetation and scavenged material.
Breeding: reeding season usually springtime, also occasionally in fall.
References: Gregory, Patrick T. and Campbell, R. Wayne. 1996. The Reptiles of British Columbia. Royal British Columbia Museum Handbook. Victoria, B.C.
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