Chrysemys dorsalis (Southern Painted Turtle)

Conservation Status:
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Home > Turtle Database > Chrysemys dorsalis (Southern Painted Turtle)

The Chrysemys dorsalis, often known as the Southern Painted Turtle, is distinguished by its vibrant markings and relatively small size. This species is a subspecies of the Painted Turtle, characterized by its decorative shell and basking habits.

Other related species

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Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Testudines
  • Family: Emydidae
  • Genus: Chrysemys
  • Species: C. dorsalis

Common Names

Southern Painted Turtle

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Identification

  • Description: The Southern Painted Turtle typically features a smooth carapace with a central, colorful dorsal stripe ranging from yellow to red. It has olive to dark green skin with yellow stripes on the limbs and head.
  • Sexual Dimorphism: Females are generally larger than males, with a more rounded carapace, while males have longer foreclaws and a concave plastron.

Native Origin and Distribution

  • Geographical Range: This turtle is native to the southeastern regions of the United States, predominantly found along the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

Preferred Habitat

Southern Painted Turtles favor slow-moving freshwater environments, such as ponds, marshes, and quiet rivers with abundant vegetation.

Behavior

  • Feeding Habits: They are omnivorous, primarily consuming aquatic vegetation, insects, and small fish.
  • Predators: Common predators include raccoons, birds, and snakes.

Reproduction

  • Breeding Season: Breeding occurs from March to June.
  • Reproductive Method: Females lay clutches of 4 to 10 eggs on sunny riverbanks or sandy areas, which hatch in about 10 weeks.

Conservation

  • Extinction Status: Not currently endangered, but populations are monitored due to habitat loss.
  • Threats: Habitat destruction and pollution are the primary threats.
  • Conservation Measures: Conservation efforts include habitat restoration and protection laws.

Economic Importance

Southern Painted Turtles contribute to local biodiversity and can be an attraction for eco-tourism and educational purposes.

Interesting Facts

Despite their small size, Southern Painted Turtles can live up to 50 years in the wild.

Research Studies

For an in-depth study on the Southern Painted Turtle, you can refer to the following research paper: Intergradation between the Painted Turtles Chrysemys picta picta and Chrysemys picta dorsalis

About Author

Muntaseer Rahman started keeping pet turtles back in 2013. He also owns the largest Turtle & Tortoise Facebook community in Bangladesh. These days he is mostly active on Facebook.