Oregon Turtles

Western Painted Turtle

Western Painted Turtle

Description:

  • Head and legs are dark green with yellow lines
  • Bottom shell is red or orange with unique black pattern
  • Top shell varies from olive to brown and is slightly flattened and smooth with red/orange markings along the margin
  • Length ranges based on age with a max length of about 10 inches

Habitat:

  • Spend most of their time in shallow, slow-moving water of streams, ponds, lakes, wetlands and rivers; preferably with a soft, muddy bottom with vegetation and submerged logs

Status:

Range:

  • Found primarily in the Columbia River Basin, and in the northern portion of the WIllamette River Basin