Western Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta bellii
Non-native
Description: The carapace is smooth and oval-shaped. It is brown, black, or olive in color with thin yellow and red lines on the outside edge. The rear edge of the carapace is smooth. The plastron is red or salmon-colored with a large dark central pattern. The head, limbs, and tail are green, olive, brown, or black in color with numerous yellow stripes. Adult males have large front claws.
Size: A medium-sized turtle with an average shell length of 6 to 8 inches. Males are significantly smaller than females.
Range and Habitat: This turtle has well-established populations throughout Northern Utah along the Wasatch Front and Cache Valley. It inhabits lakes, ponds, marshes, canals, and other slow-moving water sources with soft bottoms, abundant aquatic plants, and partially submerged logs.
Similar Species: The Red-eared Slider can be identified by the red patch behind its eyes. It has a yellow plastron with dark blotches. The carapace has a serrated rear edge.
The Reptiles and Amphibians of Utah 