Did you know that southern painted turtles can get up off their backs?
Southern Painted Turtles
at
a Glance
Key Features:
Southern painted turtles are dark green turtles with an orange, red, or yellow stripe going down their backs.
Least Concern - Population Stable
Habitat:
Creeks, lakeshores, marshes, and ponds
nesting habits:
Southern painted turtles lay up to five clutches of four to eight eggs from March to June.
seasons southern painted turtles are active in our area:
All Year
Diet:
Duckweed, fish, insects, water hyacinth, water lettuce, and worms
hunting Behavior:
Southern painted turtles forage at the bottom of slow moving water and skim the surface of water.
Commonly Confused With:
Red-Eared Sliders and River Cooters
Southern painted turtles are often confused with river cooters because both are dark green turtles. River cooters are greenish-brown on top and red, orange, or yellow on the bottom.
Southern painted turtles are often confused with red-eared sliders because both are green turtles with yellow stripes on their backs. Southern painted turtles have one yellow stripe on their backs. Red-eared sliders have a red mark behind their eyes.