by Angie

Description

Western painted turtles are called painted turtles because their lower shell is brightly colored with red with yellow and olive designs.  The olive or black top shell is oval, slightly flattened and smooth.  They have a pointed tail with red stripes.

Habitat

Painted turtles need enough water to move about and swim.Turtles live in the water and Wetlands.  During cold weather painted turtles hibernate by themselves in the mud under ponds.

Interesting Facts

A turtle eats mayflies and small fish, insects, plants, worms, leech, crayfish, frogs, snails and tadpoles.  Painted turtles can live 15 to 25 years.  They have a large shell.