Chrysemys picta

On a field trip to Bachelor Pond, a few miles outside of Oxford, OH, we not only enjoyed the beautiful weather, but we found this beautiful turtle. A midland painted turtle (Chrysemys picta). We could see a number of these turtles basking on a log that was floating in the pond, however it took a little effort to catch one to observe up close - it was worth it though, the pictures just don't do this animal justice. These turtles are easily recognized by their unkeeled, smooth shells with red, yellow, and black markings and grow between 4 and 6 inches. They typically live where water is shallow and the bottom is soft and muddy (which really was the case, our waders were sinking!). Females are typically larger than their mates. Midland painted turtles range from S. Quebec and S. Ontario to Louisiana and Arkansas. The main difference between midland painted turtles and eastern painted turtles is that the large scutes on their shell are alternating instead of continuous. (Ashley Smith, Miami University)