Scientific name : Chrysemys picta
Family : Emydidae
Native to : North America but widely distributed
Interesting fact : Nesting females sometimes get stuck in the mud to an extent that they can’t even move.
Conservation status : Least Concern
The painted turtle is truly a piece of art that is olive with yellow or red markings on its smooth shell. The dark skin too has yellow stripes and the feet are webbed. They love slow-moving rivers with muddy bottoms and forage under water for aquatic plants, algae, aquatic insects, crustaceans and fish.