Painted Turtle

"Painted Turtle" is also the name of an imprint of Wayne State University Press. The Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) is a reptile that is common in North America, and is a water turtle related to other water turtles such as sliders and cooters. This turtle lives in ponds, lakes, marshes, and in slow-moving rivers that have soft, muddy bottoms. The maximum carapace size, or shell length, for painted turtles is 10 inches, or 25 cm. Its shell is used to protect it from its predators. The underside, or plastron, of the Painted turtle's shell has a beautiful design that (hence the name) looks like it is painted. The plastron can be solid yellow, mostly yellow with a pattern in the center, or may be a complicated pattern of yellow and red. There are yellow or red lines on the painted turtle's head, and limbs. The skin tone of the painted turtle varies from olive green to solid black.The Painted Turtle is the only species in the genus Chrysemys. It comprises 4 sub-species.
See more at Wikipedia.org...

Noun
1. freshwater turtles having bright yellow and red markings; common in the eastern United States
(synonym) painted terrapin, painted tortoise, Chrysemys picta
(hypernym) turtle
(member-holonym) Chrysemys, genus Chrysemys

Chrysemys picta dorsalis
Traits:
Circumference up to 10" Painted turtles are fascinating turtles to observe. If allowed a large enough swimming area, these turtles will entertain their owners endlessly. Painted turtles can live for more than 30 years!
Lighting:
All turtles require ultraviolet lighting to maintain good health and shell structure. Ultraviolet lighting is recommended for 12 hours per day. The use of a timer will help to maintain an accurate lighting schedule.
Feeding/Watering:
Painted turtles do well on a diet consisting of a variety of vitamin/calcium dusted insects such as crickets, mealworms and waxworms as well as goldfish and other small fish. Some individuals will also eat some vegetable matter as well as canned turtle food.
Habitat/Housing:
Painted turtles are considered aquatic turtles (spend much of the day partially or completely submerged in water). Therefore, successful permanent maintenance requires a moderately sized terrarium (20-30 gallon). A screen lid is essential for proper air exchange. The enclosure must include either a large sloped water bowl or allow for a swimming area. This can be accomplished by using gravel as a substrate and sloping it to form a "beach" area. It is also recommended that a small powerhead water filter is used to keep the water clean. Live plants can be used in red-eared slider enclosures to maintain humidity levels and create a natural atmosphere. Misting the habitat once or twice daily will help maintain proper humidity levels.
Substrate (Bedding):
2" to 3" inches of gravel is recommended for painted turtle terrariums to maintain a clean tank. Additionally, gravel should be used when creating a "beach" tank to ensure water remains clear and the pump is working efficiently. With either set-up, the substrate should be cleaned and changed regularly to avoid bacterial growth.