Painted Turtle

The painted turtle is the most widespread native turtle of North America. It lives in slow-moving fresh waters, from southern Canada to northern Mexico, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific. They have been shown to prefer large wetlands with long periods of inundation and emergent vegetation.

Scientific name: Chrysemys picta

Rank: Species

Higher classification: Painted Turtles

Symbol of: Michigan, Colorado, Illinois

Length: 5.5 to 6.0 inches

Family: Emydidae

Kingdom: Animalia