Chrysemys picta (painted turtle)

Pictures

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Picture

Title

Caption

Copyright

Adult

Chrysemys picta (painted turtle); adult, at water surface. Eastern USA. September, 2011.

©Greg Schechter- CC BY 2.0 - via Wikimedia

Identity

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Preferred Scientific Name

Chrysemys picta Schneider

Preferred Common Name

painted turtle

Local Common Names

Germany: Zierschildkröte

Summary of Invasiveness

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C. picta is an aquatic turtle native to North America popular with pet fanciers around the world. The pet trade is the most common mode of invasion pathway for this species, as individuals escape from their enclosures or when people release them intentionally when they are tired of caring for their pet, when their animals are sick, or to establish new populations. C. picta has been introduced to Europe (Kraus 2009), parts of the United States (Kraus 2009), and in Asia in Indonesia and Philippine Islands (Uetz and Hosek, 2015) but evidence of impact is lacking in the literature. C. picta is listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List (IUCN, 2016).

Taxonomic Tree

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Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Metazoa
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Emydidae
Genus: Chrysemys
Species: Chrysemys picta

Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature

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Based on colour pattern and morphology (Ernst and Lovich, 2009), there are three currently recognized subspecies of C. picta (Uetz and Hosek, 2015): the western painted turtle, C. picta bellii (Gray, 1831); the midland painted turtle, C. picta marginata (Agassiz, 1857), and the eastern painted turtle, C. picta picta (Schneider, 1783). Based on phylogenetic analysis using mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), a former fourth subspecies, the southern painted turtle, C. dorsalis (Agassiz, 1857), was elevated to species status (Starkey et al., 2003), however the taxonomy of C. dorsalis remains debatable (Uetz and Hosek, 2015).

Description

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C. picta is a small (up to 25.4 cm carapace length) turtle that is olive to black with yellow and red borders along the scute seams and red bars or crescents on the marginal scutes (Ernst and Lovich, 2009), giving it the common name ‘painted turtle’. The carapace is smooth and oval, and some individuals may have a red or yellow mid-dorsal stripe (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). The hingeless plastron is yellow with black or red to brown blotches, and the neck, legs and tail have yellow and red stripes (Ernst and Lovich, 2009).

Distribution

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C. picta is the only native transcontinental turtle species in North America. It occurs from southern British Columbia eastward to Nova Scotia in Canada, and Oregon southeastward to southern Georgia in the USA (Ernst and Lovich, 2009), and with scattered southwestern populations in Arizona, Colorado and Utah (Lovich et al., 2014).

C. picta dorsalis, originally described from Louisiana, was elevated to species status (as C. dorsalis, according to Starkey et al., 2003) but records of its occurrence are included with C. picta s.s. in the Distribution Table and maps.

C. picta has been introduced to Europe (Kraus 2009) in Austria (Kaltenegger, 2006), Germany (Podloucky, 1998; Fritz and Lehmann, 2002), the UK (Swanton, 1928; Taylor, 1948, 1963; Fitter, 1959; Frazer, 1964; Beebee and Griffiths, 2000; Arnold and Ovenden, 2002), Malta (Despott, 1913) and Spain (Mateo, 1997; Barbadillo et al., 1999; Pleguezuelos, 2004; Rhodin et al. 2010).

Although native to many states of the USA, there have also been introductions via the pet trade (Kraus 2009) in Arizona (Hulse, 1980; Jennings, 1987b; Lazaroff et al., 2006), California (Banta and Morafka, 1966; Bury and Luckenbach, 1976; Stebbins, 1985; Jennings, 1987a, 2004; Holland, 1994; Spinks et al., 2003), Colorado (Rodeck, 1948; Livo et al., 1998), Florida (King and Krakauer, 1966; Bartlett, 1967; Iverson and Etchberger, 1989; King and Burke, 1989; Krysko et al., 2011), Illinois (Dancik, 1974) and New Mexico (Stuart, 2000, 2001).

C. picta has also been introduced to Indonesia and the Philippine Islands (Uetz and Hosek, 2015).

Distribution Table

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The distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.

Last updated: 17 Dec 2021

Continent/Country/Region	Distribution	Origin	First Reported	Invasive	Reference	Notes
Africa
Zambia	Present	Introduced			CABI (Undated b)
Asia
Indonesia	Present	Introduced			Uetz and Hosek (2015) Van Dijk (2016)
Philippines	Present	Introduced			Uetz and Hosek (2015) Van Dijk (2016)
Europe
Austria	Absent, Formerly present				Kaltenegger (2006) Kraus (2009)	Introduced via the pet trade at least 2 times without any current evidence of establishment
Germany	Absent, Formerly present				Podloucky (1998) Fritz and Lehmann (2002) Kraus (2009) Van Dijk (2016) Seebens et al. (2017)	Introduced intentionally and via the pet trade at least 3 times, uncertain whether established
Malta	Absent, Formerly present		1910		Despott (1913) Kraus (2009)	Introduced intentionally
Spain	Present, Localized	Introduced		Invasive	Mateo (1997) Barbadillo et al. (1999) Pleguezuelos (2004) Kraus (2009) Van Dijk (2016) Seebens et al. (2017)	Introduced via the pet trade at least 4 times
United Kingdom	Absent, Formerly present		1905		Swanton (1928) Taylor (1948) Fitter (1959) Taylor (1963) Frazer (1964) Beebee and Griffiths (2000) Arnold and Ovenden (2002) Kraus (2009)	Introduced intentionally and via the pet trade at least 4 times
North America
Canada	Present				CABI (Undated a)	Present based on regional distribution.
-Alberta	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-British Columbia	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Manitoba	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-New Brunswick	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Nova Scotia	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Ontario	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Quebec	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Saskatchewan	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
Mexico	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
United States	Present				CABI (Undated a)	Present based on regional distribution.
-Alabama	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Arizona	Present	Native			Hulse (1980) Lazaroff et al. (2006) Kraus (2009) Van Dijk (2016) CABI (Undated)	Limited native range. Introductions via the pet trade at least 5 times without any current evidence of establishment
-Arkansas	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-California	Absent, Formerly present				Banta and Morafka (1966) Bury and Luckenbach (1976) Stebbins (1985) Holland (1994) Jennings (2004) Kraus (2009) Van Dijk (2016) CABI (Undated)	Introduced intentionally and via the pet trade at least 7 times, uncertain if established; First reported: 1974, 1990s
-Colorado	Present	Native			Rodeck (1948) Livo et al. (1998) Kraus (2009) Van Dijk (2016)	Limited native range. Introduced via the pet trade at least 3 times without any current evidence of establishment
-Connecticut	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Delaware	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-District of Columbia	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Florida	Absent, Formerly present				King and Krakauer (1966) Bartlett (1967) Iverson and Etchberger (1989) King and Burke (1989) Kraus (2009) Krysko et al. (2011)	Introduced via the pet trade at least 5 times without any current evidence of establishment; First reported: 1933, 1938, 1964, 1983, 2007
-Georgia	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Idaho	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Illinois	Present	Native and Introduced			Dancik (1974) Van Dijk (2016)	Native and introduced via the pet trade
-Indiana	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Iowa	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Kansas	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Kentucky	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Louisiana	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Maine	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Maryland	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Massachusetts	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Michigan	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Minnesota	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Mississippi	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Missouri	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Montana	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Nebraska	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-New Hampshire	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-New Jersey	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-New Mexico	Present	Native			Stuart (2000) Kraus (2009) Van Dijk (2016)	Limited native range. Introduced via the pet trade at least 2 times without any current evidence of establishment
-New York	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-North Carolina	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-North Dakota	Present	Native			CABI (Undated b)
-Ohio	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Oklahoma	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Oregon	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Pennsylvania	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Rhode Island	Present	Native			CABI (Undated b)
-South Carolina	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-South Dakota	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Tennessee	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Texas	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Utah	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Vermont	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Virginia	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Washington	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-West Virginia	Present	Native			Van Dijk (2016)
-Wisconsin	Present	Native			Uetz and Hosek (2015)
-Wyoming	Present	Native			CABI (Undated b)

History of Introduction and Spread

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C. picta has been introduced, without evidence of establishing, to Austria (Kaltenegger, 2006), Germany (Podloucky, 1998; Fritz and Lehmann, 2002), the UK as early as 1905 (Swanton, 1928; Taylor, 1948, 1963; Fitter, 1959; Frazer, 1964; Beebee and Griffiths, 2000; Arnold and Ovenden, 2002), Malta as early as the 1910s (Despott, 1913), Arizona in the 1960s and 2002 (Hulse, 1980; Jennings, 1987b; Lazaroff et al., 2006), California in 1974 and the 1990s (Banta and Morafka, 1966; Bury and Luckenbach, 1976; Stebbins, 1985; Jennings, 1987a, 2004; Holland, 1994; Spinks et al., 2003), Colorado in 1947 and 1993 (Rodeck, 1948; Livo et al., 1998), Florida in 1933, 1938, 1964, 1983 and 2007 (King and Krakauer, 1966; Bartlett, 1967; Iverson and Etchberger, 1989; King and Burke, 1989; Krysko et al., 2011), Illinois in 1971 (Dancik, 1974), and New Mexico in 1998 and 2000 (Stuart, 2000, 2001).

This species has been introduced at least four times via the pet trade to Spain, where it has successfully become established (Mateo, 1997; Barbadillo et al., 1999; Pleguezuelos, 2004; Kraus, 2009; Rhodin et al. 2010).

Introductions

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Introduced to	Introduced from	Year	Reason	Introduced by	Established in wild through		References	Notes
Introduced to	Introduced from	Year	Reason	Introduced by	Natural reproduction	Continuous restocking	References	Notes
Austria			Intentional release (pathway cause); Pet trade (pathway cause)		No	No	Kaltenegger (2006); Kraus (2009)	Introduced via the pet trade at least 2 times without any current evidence of establishment
California		1974, 1990s	Intentional release (pathway cause); Pet trade (pathway cause)		No	No	Banta and Morafka (1966); Bury and Luckenbach (1976); Holland (1994); Jennings (1987); Jennings (2004); Kraus (2009); Stebbins (1985)	Introduced intentionally and via the pet trade at least 7 times, uncertain if established
Colorado		1947, 1993	Intentional release (pathway cause); Pet trade (pathway cause)		No	No	Kraus (2009); Livo et al. (1998); Rodeck (1948)	Introduced via the pet trade at least 3 times without any current evidence of establishment
Florida		1933 - 2007	Intentional release (pathway cause); Pet trade (pathway cause)		No	No	Bartlett (1967); Iverson and Etchberger (1989); King and Burke (1989); King and Krakauer (1966); Kraus (2009); Krysko et al. (2011)	Introduced via the pet trade at least 5 times without any current evidence of establishment (1933, 1938, 1964, 1983, 2007)
Germany			Intentional release (pathway cause); Pet trade (pathway cause)		No	No	Fritz and Lehmann (2002); Kraus (2009); Podloucky (1998)	Introduced intentionally and via the pet trade at least 3 times, uncertain if established
Hawaii		1960s, 2002	Intentional release (pathway cause); Pet trade (pathway cause)		No	No	Hulse (1980); Jennings (1987); Kraus (2009); Lazaroff et al. (2006)	Introduced via the pet trade at least 5 times without any current evidence of establishment
Illinois		1971	Intentional release (pathway cause); Pet trade (pathway cause)		No	No	Dancik (1974)	Introduced via the pet trade
Indonesia	Indonesia				No	No	Uetz and Hosek (2015)	No other information provided
Malta		1910	Intentional release (pathway cause); Pet trade (pathway cause)		No	No	Despott (1913); Kraus (2009)	Introduced intentionally
New Mexico		1998, 2000	Intentional release (pathway cause); Pet trade (pathway cause)		No	No	Kraus (2009); Stuart (2000); Stuart (2001)	Introduced via the pet trade at least 2 times without any current evidence of establishment
Philippines	Philippines				No	No	Uetz and Hosek (2015)	No other information provided
Spain			Pet trade (pathway cause)		Yes	No	Barbadillo et al. (1999); Kraus (2009); Mateo (1997); Pleguezuelos (2004)	Introduced via the pet trade at least 4 times
UK		1905	Intentional release (pathway cause); Pet trade (pathway cause)		No	No	Arnold and Ovenden (2002); Beebee and Griffiths (2000); Fitter (1959); Frazer (1964); Kraus (2009); Swanton (1928); Taylor (1948); Taylor (1963)	Introduced intentionally and via the pet trade at least 4 times

Risk of Introduction

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C. picta is an aquatic turtle species with beautiful colouration, commonly known as ‘painted turtle’, and is popular with pet fanciers around the world. The pet trade is the most common invasion pathway for this species, as individuals escape from their enclosures or are intentionally released by people tired of caring for their pet, or when their animals are sick, or to establish new populations.

Habitat

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C. picta prefers slow moving shallow fresh water with soft bottom, vegetation and basking sites, but it is also tolerant of brackish water and polluted fresh water (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). It avoids fast moving water (Ernst and Lovich, 2009).

Habitat List

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Category	Habitat	Presence	Status
Multiple
Other	Ice	Principal habitat	Natural
Terrestrial
Freshwater
Freshwater	Lakes	Principal habitat	Natural
Freshwater	Reservoirs	Principal habitat	Natural
Freshwater	Rivers / streams	Principal habitat	Natural
Freshwater	Ponds	Principal habitat	Natural
Brackish	Estuaries	Secondary/tolerated habitat	Natural

Biology and Ecology

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Genetics

C. picta has 50 chromosomes (Stock, 1972; Killebrew, 1977a; DeSmet, 1978).

Reproductive biology

Females attain a larger size than males. Males have longer foreclaws to hold onto females during reproduction, a longer and thicker tail, and the cloaca is posterior to the carapace (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). Males actively look for females, and so are more inclined to disperse to new water bodies (Tuberville et al., 1996). Males typically mature in 2-4 years or between 7 and 9.5 cm plastron length (PL), whereas females typically mature in 6-10 years or 9.7–12.8 cm PL (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). Courtship and mating typically occur from March through June, but can sometimes last until September (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). A female can store viable sperm for up to three years and a clutch may have multiple male parents (Pearse et al., 2001a). Oviposition of up to 23 eggs typically occurs from April through July (Dundee and Rossman, 1989; Trauth et al., 2004). Females can oviposit up to five clutches in a year (Ernst and Lovich, 2009).

Physiology and phenology

C. picta can tolerate cold temperatures, but its northernmost distribution is likely determined by exposure to subfreezing temperatures (St. Claire and Gregory, 1990). The critical thermal minimum for C. picta is about -2°C (Ernst and Lovich, 2009); however, Diamond (1989) reported survival as low as -8°C.

Longevity

C. picta can live between 30 and 40 years in the wild, and possibly up to 61 years (Congdon et al., 2003a; Siess, 2005; Ernst and Lovich, 2009).

Activity patterns

C. picta is diurnal and active mostly during warmer parts of the year, although individuals can be active all year in southern populations (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). C. picta can move long distances to adjacent water bodies, sometimes over land (MacCulloch and Secoy, 1983a), but its home range has not been adequately studied (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). Homing ability has been documented, some of which required crossing over land (Cagle, 1944b; Williams, 1952; Gould, 1959; Emlen, 1969; Ernst, 1970e; Whillans and Crossman, 1977; DeRosa and Taylor, 1978; Quinn and Graves, 1998).

Population size and structure

C. picta can exhibit dense population sizes of up to 838 individuals per hectare (Gibbons, 1968b; Frazer et al., 1991b). Age classes are typically skewed toward adults, especially in rivers (Ernst and Lovich, 2009).

Nutrition

C. picta is an omnivorous generalist and feeds upon a large variety of algae, plants and animals (Ernst and Lovich, 2009).

Climate

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Climate	Status	Description
Cf - Warm temperate climate, wet all year	Tolerated	Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, wet all year
Cs - Warm temperate climate with dry summer	Preferred	Warm average temp. > 10°C, Cold average temp. > 0°C, dry summers
Ds - Continental climate with dry summer	Preferred	Continental climate with dry summer (Warm average temp. > 10°C, coldest month < 0°C, dry summers)

Latitude/Altitude Ranges

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Latitude North (°N)	Latitude South (°S)	Altitude Lower (m)	Altitude Upper (m)
51.350631	31.434958

Air Temperature

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Parameter	Lower limit	Upper limit
Absolute minimum temperature (ºC)	-8
Mean maximum temperature of hottest month (ºC)		34

Water Tolerances

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Parameter	Minimum Value	Maximum Value	Typical Value	Status	Life Stage	Notes
Water temperature (ºC temperature)	1			Optimum		It can be observed swimming under ice

Means of Movement and Dispersal

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Natural dispersal

C. picta disperses from its hibernating ponds to outlying bodies water during spring, and slowly migrates back to hibernacula during autumn (Ernst and Lovich, 2009).

Accidental introduction

The pet trade is the likely invasion pathway for C. picta around the word, and it is possible that animals have escaped enclosures and therefore were accidentally introduced. However, information is needed to illustrate individual accidental releases.

Intentional introduction

C. picta has been intentionally introduced in Malta, the UK and California (Kraus, 2009). This species has been introduced via the pet trade (unknown if accidental or intentional) in Spain, the UK, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida and Illinois (Kraus, 2009).

Pathway Causes

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Cause	Notes	Long Distance	Local	References
Intentional release	Intentionally released in Malta, United Kingdom, and California		Yes	Kraus (2009)
Pet trade	Released via the pet trade in Spain, United Kingdom, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, and Ill		Yes	Kraus (2009)

Impact Summary

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Category	Impact
Environment (generally)	Positive

Risk and Impact Factors

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Invasiveness

Proved invasive outside its native range
Has a broad native range
Abundant in its native range
Highly adaptable to different environments
Tolerant of shade
Capable of securing and ingesting a wide range of food
Highly mobile locally
Benefits from human association (i.e. it is a human commensal)
Long lived
Fast growing
Gregarious
Has propagules that can remain viable for more than one year

Impact outcomes

Negatively impacts animal health
Reduced native biodiversity

Impact mechanisms

Hybridization
Predation

Likelihood of entry/control

Highly likely to be transported internationally accidentally
Highly likely to be transported internationally deliberately
Highly likely to be transported internationally illegally

Uses List

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General

Botanical garden/zoo
Laboratory use
Pet/aquarium trade
Research model

Materials

Bones

Detection and Inspection

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C. picta is easily detected (see Description). As many as 50 individuals can be observed on a single log at one time (Ernst and Lovich, 2009).

Similarities to Other Species/Conditions

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C. picta is sometimes confused with other native North American turtles such as Graptemys, Pseudemys and Trachemys, but all of these have a vertebral keel, serrated posterior carapace rim and usually much larger females (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). Additionally, Deirochelys has a much longer neck, wide stripe on the forelimb, and vertically striped behind (Ernst and Lovich, 2009).

Prevention and Control

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Due to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.

SPS measures

Chrysemys picta is not listed in CITES, and is listed as Least Concern in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Gaps in Knowledge/Research Needs

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Although many aspects of about the natural history of C. picta have been reported, data are needed regarding impacts on biodiversity in their introduced range.

References

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Arnold EN, Ovenden DW, 2002. Reptiles and amphibians of Europe. Princeton, New Jersey, USA: Princeton University Press, 288 pp.

Banta BH, Morafka D, 1966. An annotated checklist of the recent amphibians and reptiles inhabiting the City and County of San Francisco, California. Wasmann Journal of Biology, 24:223-238.

Barbadillo LJ, Lacomba JI, Perez-Mellado V, Sancho V, Lopez-Jurado LF, 1999. Amphibians and reptiles of the Iberian Peninsula, Balearic and Canary Islands (Anfibios y reptiles de la Peninsula Iberica, Baleares y Canarias). Barcelona, Spain: Editorial Planeta.

Bartlett RD, 1967. Introduced chelonians in Dade County, Florida. International Turtle and Tortoise Society Journal, 1:19,35.

Beebee TJC, Griffiths R, 2000. Amphibians and reptiles: a natural history of the British herpetofauna. London, UK: HarperCollins, 270 pp.

Bury RB, Luckenbach RA, 1976. Introduced amphibians and reptiles in California. Biological Conservation, 10:1-14.

Cagle FR, 1944. Home range, homing behavior and migration in turtles. Miscellaneous Publications of the Museum of Zoology University of Michigan, 61:1-34.

Cagle FR, 1954. Observations on the life cycles of painted turtles (genus Chrysemys). American Midland Naturalist, 52:225-235.

Congdon JD, Nagle RD, Kinney OM, Loben Sels RCvan, Quinter T, Tinkle DW, 2003. Testing hypotheses of aging in long-lived painted turtles (Chrysemys picta). Experimental Gerontology, 38:765-772.

Dancik T, 1974. A survey of the turtles of the Des Plaines River. Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society, 9:23-33.

Degenhardt WG, Painter CW, Price AH, 1996. Amphibians and reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, USA: University of New Mexico Press, 431 pp.

DeRosa CT, Taylor DH, 1978. Sun-compass orientation in the painted turtle, Chrysemys picta (Reptilia, Testudines, Testudinidae). Journal of Herpetology, 12:25-28.

DeSmet WHO, 1978. The chromosomes of 11 species of Chelonia (Reptilia). Acta Zoologica Pathology (Antwerp), 70:15-34.

Despott G, 1913. I nostri rettili. Archivium Melitense, 2:93-96.

Diamond JM, 1989. Resurrection of frozen animals. Nature, 339:509-510.

Dundee HA, Rossman DA, 1989. The amphibians and reptiles of Louisiana. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA: Louisiana State University Press, 300 pp.

Emlen ST, 1969. Homing ability and orientation in the painted turtle Chrysemys picta marginata. Behaviour (Leiden), 33:58-76.

Ernst CH, 1970. Homing ability in the painted turtle Chrysemys picta (Schneider). Herpetologica, 26:399-403.

Ernst CH, Ernst EM, 1973. Biology of Chrysemys picta bellii in southwestern Minnesota. Journal of Minnesota Academy of Science, 38:77-80.

Ernst CH, Lovich JE, 2009. Turtles of the United States and Canada, Second edition. Baltimore, Maryland, USA: The John Hopkins University Press, 827 pp.

Fitter RSR, 1959. The ark in our midst. London, UK: Collins, 320 pp.

Frazer JFD, 1964. Introduced species of amphibians and reptiles in mainland Britain. British Journal of Herpetology, 3:145-150.

Fritz M, Lehmann HD, 2002. Fund of the North slip Lingen Sichen Zierschildkrote, Chrysemys picta bellii, on a body of water in Baden-Wurttemberg. (Fund von Schlupflingen der nordamerikansichen Zierschildkrote, Chrysemys picta bellii, an einem Gewasser in Baden-Wurttemberg.) Elaphe, 10:45-48.

Gould E, 1959. Studies on the orientation of turtles. Copeia, 1959:174-176.

Holland DC, 1994. The Western pond turtle: habitat and history. Portland, Oregon, USA: United States Department of Energy, Bonneville Power Administration.

Hulse AC, 1980. Notes on the occurrence of introduced turtles in Arizona. Herpetological Review, 11:16-17.

IUCN, 2016. The IUCN (the International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species. http://www.iucnredlist.org/

Iverson JB, Etchberger CR, 1989. The distributions of the turtles of Florida. Florida Scientist, 52:119-144.

Jennings MR, 1987. Special Publication no. 3 of the Southwestern Herpetologists Society.

Jennings MR, 1987. Status of the western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) in Arizona. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, 22:129-133.

Jennings MR, 2004. An annotated check list of the amphibians and reptiles of California and adjacent waters. Third Revised Edition. California Fish and Game, 90:161-213.

Kaltenegger D, 2006. The domestic European Sumpfschildkrote (Emys orbicularis) and the increasing problem of illegal exposed Rotwangen-Schmuckschildkroten (Trachemys scripta elegans). (Die heimische Europäische Sumpfschildkröte (Emys orbicularis) und die zunehmende Problematik durch illegal ausgesetzte Rotwangen-Schmuckschildkröten (Trachemys scripta elegans).) Österreichs Fischerei, 59:93-97.

Killebrew FC, 1977. Mitotic chromosomes of turtles, Part 4: The Emydidae. Texas Journal of Science, 29:245-253.

King FW, Burke RL, 1989. Crocodilian, tuatara, and turtle species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Washington, DC, USA: Association of Systematics Collections, 216 pp.

King W, Krakauer T, 1966. The exotic herpetofauna of Southeast Florida. Quarterly Journal of the Florida Academy of Sciences, 29:144-154.

Kraus F, 2009. Invading nature: Springer series in invasion ecology 4. Springer, 563 pp.

Krysko KL, Burgess JP, Rochford MR, Gillette CR, Cueva D, Enge KM, Somma LA, Stabile JL, Smith DC, Wasilewski JA, Kieckhefer GNIII, Granatosky MC, Nielsen SV, 2011. Verified non-indigenous amphibians and reptiles in Florida from 1863 through 2010: Outlining the invasion process and identifying invasion pathways and stages. Zootaxa, 3028:1-64.

Lazaroff DW, Rosen PC, Lowe Jr CH, 2006. Amphibians, reptiles, and their habitats at Sabino Canyon. Tucson, Arizona, USA: University of Arizona Press, 158 pp.

Livo LJ, Hammerson GA, Smith HM, 1998. Summary of amphibians and reptiles introduced into Colorado. Northwestern Naturalist, 79:1-11.

Lovich JE, LaRue CT, Drost CA, Arundel TR, 2014. Traditional cultural use as a tool for inferring biogeography and provenance: a case study involving painted turtles (Chrysemys picta) and Hopi Native American Culture in Arizona, USA, Copeia, 2014(2):215-220

MacCulloch RD, Secoy DM, 1983. Movement in a river population of Chrysemys picta bellii in southern Saskatchwean. Journal of Herpetology, 17:283-285.

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Distribution References

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Swanton EW, 1928. The mammals, fishes, reptiles and amphibians of Haslemere and district. In: Haslemere Natural History Society Science Paper, 10 4-27.

Taylor RHR, 1948. The distribution of reptiles and amphibia in the British Isles, with notes on species recently introduced. In: British Journal of Herpetology, 1 1-25.

Taylor RHR, 1963. The distribution of amphibians and reptiles in England and Wales, Scotland and Ireland and the Channel Isles: a revised survey. In: British Journal of Herpetology, 3 95-101.

Uetz P, Hosek J, 2015. The Reptile Database., http://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/

Van Dijk PP, 2016. Chrysemys picta. (errata version published in 2016). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species., e.T163467A97410447. http://www.iucnredlist.org

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21/04/15 Original text by:

Kenneth Krysko, University of Florida, USA

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Datasheet

Chrysemys picta (painted turtle)

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