Western Painted Turtles Nesting Season
The Western Red Painted Turtle, one of several species of Painted Turtles found across Canada and the United States, is endemic to British Columbia. In B.C., two populations are recognized. The Pacific Coast population is found on southeastern Vancouver Island, some of the Gulf Islands, and the Pacific Coast mainland. The Intermountain-rocky Mountain Population is found in the southern interior. The Pacific Coast population is considered threatened and endangered by federal and provincial classification systems like COSEWIC and SARA, and is the last remaining native turtle species on Vancouver Island.
Western painted turtle
Western painted turtles can reach 25 cm in length. They have an upper shell, called a carapace, and a bottom shell, the plastron. The carapace is dark green to black, gently rounded and smooth with red markings along the side. The plastron is bright red-orange with a central black and yellow radiating pattern. They also have bright yellow stripes on their neck and legs. Western painted turtles are often mistaken for the non-native Red-eared slider. The two turtles can best be identified by the colour of their underside (plastron). Learn how to identify the two turtles here.
Western painted turtles live in freshwater habitat, including ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving streams. They prefer muddy substrate and lots of aquatic vegetation that is submerged or with exposed roots. Logs, open banks, and large roots are good spots for them to bask in the sun. Elk-Beaver Lake, Swan Lake and Matheson Lake are all observable Western Red Painted Turtle habitat. They hibernate underwater during the winter, and come out usually between April and September.
Female laying eggs at a nesting site
Breeding season occurs from June to August, when females dig a nest on land within 200 meters of water and lay a clutch of 4-23 eggs. She may have more than one clutch in a year. The incubation period is 70-80 days, and the eggs hatch around September. Turtle hatchlings stay in the nest over winter and disperse the following spring. Temperatures influence whether baby turtles will be male or female; temperatures above 29°C produce females, and temperatures below 27°C produce males. Females become reproductive between 12-15 years old, and males between 7-10 years old.
Introduced Red eared slider
These turtles face several threats to their survival, including habitat loss, predators, and road mortality. The wetlands favored by this reptile are found in the same locations favored for human habitat. Nests can be eaten by raccoons and other predators. The non-native Red-eared slider competes with Western Red Painted Turtles for nesting sites, food, and habitat. Another big risk turtles face is being hit by a car. If you see a turtle on the road in immediate danger, you may carefully move it to the other side in the direction it is facing. Otherwise, do not interfere with or touch a wild turtle. Moving a turtle could end up doing more harm than good. Turtles are rarely lost - they are where they are for a reason, even if it's only known to them.
If you have a turtle nesting on your property, would like information on turtles in your area, or have any questions or concerns, please contact HAT at hatmail@hat.bc.ca. If you see a turtle, take a photo and record the location, date, and time of your observation and report it to HAT. Thank you for your help in helping these amazing creatures get through this breeding season!
Written by HAT volunteer Darcy Harnadek
June 2024