MIDLAND PAINTED TURTLE--

Chrysemys picta marginata

If you look carefully you can see why the turtle in the photo has “Painted” in its name. The deep green carapace (shell) is brightly patterned with red and black along the underside of the marginal plates; looking as if it has been hand painted.

These turtles are particularly fond of basking and often many can be seen grouped together on floating logs around the pond in warm weather.

There are several subspecies of painted turtles in the US, but only the midland variety occurs in Ohio. Like most highly aquatic turtles, they usually will not swallow food unless they are at or beneath the surface of the water.

With the coming of winter, midland painted turtles seek deep water, and burrow into the mud or debris at the bottom. The small amount of oxygen they need is absorbed from the water through the inner lining of the mouth and cloaca (end of the digestive tract).

Periodically I will see a snapping turtle as well, but they are far less common sightings.

I think I find that comforting.

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See: ohiodnr.com/publications/reptiles/turtles.htm