Home › Reptilia › Emydidae › Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii)
SPECIES PROFILE
Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii)
Chrysemys
IUCN STATUS
Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Endangered
CLASS
Reptilia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Widespread across North America; in BC restricted to the south Okanagan and south Vancouver Island, the northern edge of its range
DIET
Omnivore
HABITAT
Shallow, slow-moving freshwater including lakes, ponds, and marshes with abundant aquatic vegetation and basking sites
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Reptilia
ORDER
Testudines
FAMILY
Emydidae
GENUS
Chrysemys
📋 Description
SIZE
13–20 cm carapace length; 300–500 g
COLORATION
Smooth olive to black carapace with red and yellow marginal markings; bright red and yellow stripes on the neck and legs
ADAPTATIONS
Freeze-tolerant hibernation in muddy lake bottoms; basks extensively to regulate body temperature
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Shallow, slow-moving freshwater including lakes, ponds, and marshes with abundant aquatic vegetation and basking sites
DIET
Omnivore
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Widespread across North America; in BC restricted to the south Okanagan and south Vancouver Island, the northern edge of its range
REPRODUCTION
Females nest in June and July, digging a hole in sunny open soil; 4–15 eggs; hatchlings may overwinter in the nest
DIET DETAILS
Aquatic plants, algae, insects, worms, snails, crayfish, and carrion
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Road mortality; nest predation by raccoons and crows; shoreline development removing basking and nesting sites
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The Western Painted Turtle is the only freshwater turtle native to BC and is listed as Endangered provincially; recovery efforts include nest protection and predator management.
2
Hatchlings emerging from nests in autumn can withstand sub-zero temperatures using supercooling and may spend the winter frozen solid in the nest.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Vaseux Lake Wildlife Area near Oliver, BC, is the most accessible site to observe Western Painted Turtles basking
Quamichan Lake near Duncan on Vancouver Island, BC, supports a recovering painted turtle population
Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area, BC, provides marsh habitat where painted turtles can be observed
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Spring to autumn. Bask on logs at Quamichan Lake and Vaseux Lake from April to October; most active on warm sunny mornings.
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
April to October on warm days; best viewing mid-morning when turtles are actively basking on exposed logs and muddy banks.
