Tina the Eastern Painted Turtle
Hatched: Unknown
Arrived at WSWC: November 4, 2024
Sex: Female
Tina was found as a small hatchling turtle in Lancaster. Without knowing the consequences of taking animals from the wild, the turtle was brought home to be a pet. After growing up to her full size, Tina was passed around to a few different homes before the wildlife center was contacted. We agreed to take in the turtle for a health evaluation and to assess if the turtle could be returned to the wild. Having been in captivity so long, it was decided to place Tina in an education program where the proper permits were in place to give the turtle her forever home. Once we saw how well Tina and our ambassador slider, Red, got along, it was quickly decided that she would stay with us.
About Eastern Painted Turtles
Size: Range from 4.5 - 8 inches in length with females being larger than males
Lifespan: Average lifespan is 30 - 40 years, but the oldest known painted turtle lived to be more than 60 years old!
Diet: Painted turtles are omnivores. They eat a variety of aquatic plants, algae and animal matter
Reproduction: Maturity and readiness to reproduce are more dependent on size than age in painted turtles. Males have elongated front claws to assist in the mating process. Females can lay up to five clutches of eggs per season with up to 20 eggs or more per clutch!
Range: Painted turtles spend most of their lives in water or basking near the water’s edge. They can be found across the North and Mid Eastern U.S. in ponds, marshes and shallow lakes.
Other Facts: Painted turtles are some of the most researched turtle species in the world. There are four different types of painted turtles: Eastern, Midland, Southern and Western. Both the Eastern and Midland Painted Turtles are native to Pennsylvania. Habitat loss and fragmentation are the number one threats to wild painted turtle populations.