Midland Painted Turtle

Slow-moving fresh water such as ponds, lakes, marshes, and creeks with muddy bottoms and plenty of basking sites.

Omnivorous; feeds on aquatic plants, algae, and small animals like insects, crustaceans, and tadpoles.

Diurnal reptiles that spend much of their day basking on logs or rocks to regulate body temperature. They hibernate in the mud at the bottom of water bodies during winter.

Benefits the ecosystem by controlling insect and vegetation populations. Risks to humans include potential Salmonella bacteria if handled, so handwashing is recommended.