Painted turtles are common freshwater turtles found throughout North America. They are highly aquatic, spending most of their lives submerged or floating. While they venture onto land for specific purposes, their survival and daily activities are intrinsically linked to their aquatic environment.
Their Aquatic World
Painted turtles prefer living in still or slow-moving freshwater bodies, including ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-flowing rivers. They thrive in shallow areas with a soft, muddy bottom and abundant aquatic vegetation, which provides both shelter and a rich food source. They are often found near shorelines with submerged plants and fallen logs. They can adapt to various conditions, including some polluted or brackish waters.
Life Below the Surface
Within their aquatic habitats, painted turtles engage in various essential activities. They forage for food, which includes aquatic plants, insects, small fish, crustaceans, and carrion. Young painted turtles are more carnivorous, becoming omnivorous as they mature. They must consume food while submerged because their tongues do not move freely enough to manipulate food on land.
Painted turtles possess several physical adaptations that facilitate their aquatic lifestyle. Their webbed feet act like paddles, providing efficient propulsion for swimming. Their shells are relatively flat and streamlined, which helps reduce drag as they move through the water. Additionally, they can absorb oxygen through their skin and cloaca, allowing them to remain submerged for extended periods. At night, they often rest safely on the bottom of a pond or on a partially submerged object.
Brief Ventures Ashore
Despite their aquatic nature, painted turtles leave the water for specific reasons. Their primary terrestrial activity is basking in the sun. As ectothermic animals, they rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature, and sunlight helps them warm up for digestion and metabolic processes. Basking also helps to dry their shells, which can prevent fungal infections and dislodge parasites.
Another reason for leaving the water, particularly for females, is nesting. Female painted turtles come ashore to dig nests in soft, sandy soil with good sun exposure near the water. They lay their eggs and then cover the nest before returning to the water, leaving the hatchlings to emerge independently. These excursions are brief, and the turtles quickly return to their watery home.
The Importance of Water
Water is necessary for painted turtles’ survival and well-being. It is their primary source of food, providing a diverse range of aquatic plants and small animals they consume. The aquatic environment also offers protection from terrestrial predators, as painted turtles can quickly retreat into the water. Being out of water for extended periods can lead to dehydration and negatively impact their health.