Fun Facts!

Painted wood turtles feed on many insects that often become pests, especially mosquitos and flies.

Painted Wood Turtle

Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima manni

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION

Painted wood turtles are vibrantly-pattered turtles have shells that resemble fine finished wood. Their faces are adorned with thin red lines, and their legs, tail, and bottom and sides of their shell are heavily marked with red and black. Their shell is moderately elongated in shape. The length of a male painted wood turtle's shell can reach up to 8 inches, and females can reach about two inches longer. Males can be distinguished from females by the thicker tail and concave lower shell.

HABITAT

Painted wood turtles typically make their home in damp woodlands and scrublands. They usually are found near water and during dry weather will wade and swim in water. They are terrestrial rather than aquatic, meaning they spend most of their time on land instead of the water. Painted wood turtles can be found throughout Central America. They range between Sonora, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

DIET IN THE WILD

These turtles are omnivorous, meaning they feed on both plants and animals. They eat wildflowers, fruit, grasses, fish, worms, and insects.

BEHAVIOR

Painted wood turtles are generally quite outgoing and curious. They are usually active creatures. They can withstand extremely hot and dry conditions, and have lived in areas with temperatures over 100 degrees F for extended periods of time.

STATUS IN THE WILD

Painted wood turtles are not listed as endangered species, though trapping for the pet trade is a threat to their numbers.

LIFE SPAN

Painted wood turtles have been known to live for as much as 30 years in captivity.