Nature’s Splashy Sunbathers

Meet summer’s favorite shell-ebrity, the Eastern Painted Turtle.

If you’ve spent time near water lately—creek, canal, pond, or slow-moving stream—you may have spotted them: rows of turtles lined up on logs like commuters waiting for a late train. Heads high, limbs outstretched, shells glistening in the sun. One sudden movement and plop—they vanish into the water, only to reappear minutes later, resuming their silent soak.

These are Eastern Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta picta), the most common native turtles in the Philadelphia region — on the whole continent, really. And summer is their season.

☀️ Born to Bask

Painted turtles are famous for their sunbathing, or “basking” behavior. You’ll often see them gathered in clusters, stretched out on flat rocks or fallen branches. But this isn’t just a turtle version of tanning—they’re regulating body temperature.

Like all reptiles, turtles are ectothermic, meaning they rely on external heat to warm up and keep their systems running. Basking is as necessary as breathing for survival! It’s also the cornerstone of a turtle’s holistic wellness routine, helping to control algae, parasites and stimulate vitamin D production, which is crucial for healthy shell growth.

And when you see five, six, even ten turtles stacked like pancakes on a log? That’s not unusual. Painted turtles are social, and in summer, sun real estate is prime. Don’t blink—they’ll all slide off the moment they sense a threat, leaving the log bobbing like nothing ever happened.

🐢 How to Spot One

Painted turtles are named for the bright, brushstroke-like markings on their shells and skin. Adults usually measure 5–7 inches long, with smooth, dark olive shells and red or orange striping along the edges. Their legs, neck, and face are decorated with fine yellow stripes, giving them a sleek, streamlined look.

You’ll often see just their heads poking above the surface before they surface or dive, depending on whether you’re coming or going. Unlike box turtles or snapping turtles, painted turtles are gentle and quick to hide, making them easy to overlook unless you know where (and when) to look.

Best bet? Try the Manayunk Canal, Wissahickon Creek, or reservoir ponds in Fairmount Park during a sunny mid-morning or early afternoon. Walk slowly, stay quiet, and check any sun-drenched logs or rocks.

🌱 What’s for Lunch?

Painted turtles are omnivores, and their diets change as they grow. Hatchlings and juveniles go heavy on protein—tiny fish, insects, and tadpoles—while adults expand their menu to include aquatic plants and algae.

They have no teeth, but instead use a sharp, beak-like mouth to nip and tear food. Feeding happens underwater, where they’re surprisingly agile for such sturdy creatures.

And yes, if you’ve seen one chomping on pond scum? Mmmm… that’s a protein-packed soup!

🐣 Tiny, Timid, and Tough

Eastern Painted Turtles are one of the most widespread native turtles in North America, and they’ve been around a long time. Fossils show their ancestors lived here more than 15 million years ago.

Mating begins in spring, and females dig nests in soft soil—often near water, but sometimes in surprising spots like yards, gardens, and even mulch beds. In each nest, they lay 4–15 eggs, which incubate for 2–3 months. Hatchlings typically emerge in late summer or early fall, though some may overwinter in the nest and emerge in spring.

Few survive their first year. Raccoons, foxes, skunks, and even crows see turtle eggs and hatchlings as snacks. Only about 1% will make it to sexual maturity at 6 – 10 years. But the ones who make it can live 20–30 years in the wild—longer in captivity.

🛶 Part of the Flow

Painted turtles play a quiet but important role in our local ecosystems. As both predators and prey, they help control insect and snail populations and provide food for birds, mammals, and even larger turtles. They’re also indicators of water health—if you’re seeing a lot of turtles, it often means the water quality is good, at least by turtle standards.

And while they may look slow and unbothered, painted turtles are surprisingly sensitive to change. Pollution, habitat loss, and road mortality (especially for nesting females) are major threats. Seeing them in the wild is still common—but it’s not guaranteed.

That’s why staying on trails, keeping dogs leashed, and never disturbing nests or turtles on land can make a big difference. These sunbathers may seem laid-back, but they need our protection to keep showing up summer after summer.

🙌🤓 FUN FACTS: PAINTED TURTLES 🐢🎨🖌️

1. Group of turtles is called a “bale.” Painted turtles don’t just stack up for warmth! They’re surprisingly chummy, often sunning with the same crew again and again.
2. A turtle’s shell has two parts: the top is called the carapace, and the bottom is the plastron. Both are made of bone and grow with the turtle (no, they can’t crawl out of it).
3. Painted turtles don’t have vocal cords, but they can hiss or grunt when stressed. They’ve been known to beg for food and attention in captivity.
4. Painted turtles can stay underwater for hours on just a single breath, longer than most other turtles. They’re also the only known reptile that can survive for months without oxygen during hibernation.
5. You can sort of tell a turtle’s age by counting the rings on its shell. Like trees, turtles grow in seasonal spurts, leaving behind visible lines (especially when they’re young).
6. They sleep underwater, often wedging themselves under rocks or into soft mud to rest, as their heart rate slows to just a few beats per minute.
7. No parental care here! When hatchlings emerge from their nest, they’re fully independent (and adorably determined).
8. A painted turtle’s ears are on the inside of its head! Tiny bones and a special membrane help them pick up low-frequency sounds, especially vibrations in water. Good luck sneaking up on one.
9. No teeth, no problem. Painted turtles use their sharp, horn-like beaks (made of keratin, just like birds) to grasp, tear, and crush food from salad to snails.
10. Turtles are symbols of creation, resilience, and long life. To the indigenous Lenape peoples of this region, North America is known as Turtle Island (the turtle carries the world on its back).

Thoughts? Comments? Please leave them below. If you enjoyed this Local wildlife feature, please check out last month’s special wooded reverie on hot summer nights.