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Painted Turtle Is One of the Most HABITAT Are Produced WATCHABLE WILDLIFE bask for several hours before foraging for Painted food in the late morning. They may forage again in late afternoon or early evening. Turtle REPRODUCTION Nesting occurs from May to mid- July. The female will prepare a flask-shaped nest, about 4 inches deep, in slightly moist soils at a sunny site near water. Fe- males lay two to four clutches per year, with each clutch containing two to 20 eggs. Depending on habitat and body conditions, they may not reproduce ev- ery year. Once eggs are laid, they cover the hole and leave, having nothing else to do with the nest. The young hatch and JOHN J. MOSESSO/NBII dig out of the nest on their own, and are independent immediately. Incubation averages 10 to 11 weeks. The gender of the hatchlings is determined by marisa lee, Wildlife biologist, during a critical phase of incubation and division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries is dependent on temperature. Tempera- tures under about 84° Fahrenheit produce males and higher temperatures produce fe- Chrysemys picta males. At the pivotal temperature of about 84° Fahrenheit, both males and females The painted turtle is one of the most hAbItAt are produced. widespread turtles in North Ameri- Painted turtles occur in slow-moving, ca. Three subspecies occur in Alabama. shallow streams, rivers and lakes. They lIFE sPAn The eastern subspecies occurs in the prefer locations with soft bottoms, plenty of Male turtles reach maturity in two to Chattaahoochee drainage system in the vegetation, and suitable basking sites such five years and females in four to eight. They east-central part of the state. The southern as half-submerged logs or rocks. may live as long as 35 to 40 years in captivi- subspecies has the largest distribution in These turtles are fond of basking and ty, but most will not survive for this long. A Alabama in the western half of the state often dozens can be seen on a single log, variety of predators such as raccoons, ot- from the Tennessee River system to Mobile sometimes stacked on top of each other in ters, mink and foxes will prey on painted Bay, while the midland subspecies occurs several layers. This sunning helps them to turtles and their eggs. in the extreme northeast corner of the eliminate parasitic leeches and maintain state. Intergrades exhibit a mix of charac- their preferred body temperature. How- teristics where their ranges overlap. ever, the turtles will dive quickly at the first sign of danger. They can also retract their DESCRIPtION head and legs into their shell for protection Painted TUrtle from predators. The painted turtle is a small turtle 4The painted turtle gets its name reaching up to 10 inches in length. The dIET carapace (top of shell) is olive to black from the bright yellow and red Painted turtles feed on plants and with yellow or red borders on seams and stripes on its head, neck and tail. small animals such as fish, snails, slugs, red marking on the marginal scutes (bony crayfish, tadpoles, carrion and aquatic 4The shell colors and markings of plates or scales on the shell); a red or yel- insects. Young painted turtles are car- hatchlings are brighter and more low stripe down the middle of the shell is nivorous, but become more herbaceous as pronounced than those of adults. variably present. The plastron, or under- adults. They will feed opportunistically on 4Whether a turtle egg develops side of the turtle, is yellow and may have almost any available food item. Because into a male or female hatchling a dark blotch. The neck, legs, and tail are they have no teeth, their jaw has tough, depends on the temperature of the striped with red and yellow, while the head horny plates for gripping food. exhibits complex yellow markings that Painted turtles are active during the nest as the eggs are developing. include large spots behind the eyes. The day and spend the nights sleeping on the Warmer nests will produce female upper jaw is notched. Color patterns vary pond bottom or on a partially submerged hatchlings while cooler nests will among subspecies. object. They become active at sunrise and produce male hatchlings. 34 Outdoor AlAbAmA | APRIL 2011 .
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