Full Grown Western Painted Turtle: Size, Appearance, Price & More

The Western painted turtle is a small to medium-sized turtle species native to parts of North America. In this article, we'll explore what this turtle is like when it reaches full adulthood.

About the Western Painted Turtle

Before getting into their traits as fully grown turtles, here's a brief overview of Western painted turtles in general:

• Scientific name: Chrysemys picta bellii
• Found widely across the western half of North America
• Agile swimmers and climbers capable of moving on land
• Omnivorous diet of plants, insects, worms, and more
• Distinguished by a pattern of spots/lines on a yellow/red shell

Size at Full Growth

On average, a fully matured Western painted turtle will be:

• Length: 5-8 inches (12.7-20.3 cm) from head to tail
• Height: 2.5-4 inches (6.4-10.2 cm) from bottom to highest shell point

However, some large male turtles may reach close to 10 inches in length. Females tend to be slightly larger than males on average.

Weight at Full Growth

The typical weight range for an adult Western painted turtle is:

• 0.5-2 lbs (0.23-0.91 kg)

Larger males may push 2.5 lbs on the high end. Much depends on overall size and bodily condition.

Appearance at Full Growth

When fully matured, Western painted turtles take on the following appearance:

• Hard, dome-shaped upper shell (carapace) color varies from olive to dark brown/black
• Symmetrical red, orange, yellow spots or lines radiating from center of carapace
• Yellow or red skin on neck, head, legs that contrast sharply with carapace
• Lower shell (plastron) typically yellow with dark blotches on edges
• Dark bar behind eye, extending back as neck stripe

The colorful patterning helps camouflage adults on land or in water. It remains vibrant throughout adulthood.

Personality at Full Growth

Compared to younger turtles, fully grown Western painted turtles demonstrate:

• More confident behavior and temperament
• Less likely to panic when approached by humans
• Calmer and less active overall than juveniles
• Mature social skills with other turtles

However, they still prefer peace and can become stressed if overhandled. Respect for space is important with any adult turtle.

Price

On the exotic pet market, adult Western painted turtles typically sell for the following reasonable prices:

• $20-40 per single turtle from local pet shops
• $15-30 each for multiples purchased from breeders

Larger, rare color variants may command higher costs. Always research sellers to avoid overpaying.

Food/Feeding at Full Growth

Mature turtle digestive needs balance omnivory well. A staple adult diet includes:

• Leafy greens (kale, collards, mustard) - Fed 3-4 times weekly
• Ground turtle food or pellets - Soaked daily in a small bowl
• Protein (earthworms, crickets, bloodworms) - 1-2 times weekly as treat
• Calcium supplements monthly or per instruction
• Gut load live foods with veggies before feeding

Feed mature turtles smaller portions 2-3 times daily to keep weight stable. Uneaten food should be removed to avoid fouling water.

Lifespan

Under good care in captivity, Western painted turtles can live for:

• 20-40 years on average lifespan
• Some exceptionally healthy individuals push 50+ years

Proper diet, hydration, lighting and warmth are secrets to maximizing a pet turtle's longevity potential.

Health at Full Growth

Common health concerns for mature pet Western painted turtles include:

• Metabolic bone disease from lack of UVB/calcium
• Shell issues like pyramiding from poor diet/habitat
• Obesity from overfeeding or lack of exercise
• Hygiene issues from poor water quality maintenance
• Bacterial/fungal infections rarely seen in ideal care

Proactive husbandry prevents the vast majority of these ailments.

Care and Nutritional Needs at Full Growth

To thrive in captivity for decades to come, adult Western painted turtles need:

• Large aquarium or stock tank - At least 30 gallons for one turtle, add 10 gallons per additional pet
• Secure, custom built, ventilated lid to prevent escapes
• UVB and basking bulbs - 10.0 T5 HO tubes or compact LED equivalents
• Land area for basking, nesting, enrichment - No smaller than half the water surface
• Filter rated for 2-3X tank size - Eheim canister or AquaClear models
• Heating - One small incandescent bulb on a thermostat, 80-85 F basking spot
• Water quality - 25% weekly changes, testing strips kept on hand

Consistency in meeting these standards results in happy, healthy seniors!

Costing of Care for a Fully Grown Turtle

The average annual costs for maintaining a mature adult Western painted turtle include:

• Habitat setup = $200-400 for large aquarium/filter/decor/UVB
• Electricity = $40-80/yr for lights and heater combined
• Food = $50-100/yr for omnivore diet variety
• Supplements = $20-30/yr for calcium/vitamins as directed
• Vet care = $50-200/yr prevention is key but emergencies arise

Longterm husbandry commitment averages $400-600 per year to keep seniors thriving.

Possible Behavioral Changes at Full Growth

Adult Western painted turtles exhibit the following shifts compared to subadults:

• Less active swimming, exploring, climbing - Usually calm unless breeding
• More defensively aggressive if threatened by intruders
• Males chase females for mating April-July in bouts of activity
• Females dig nests and lay 1-7 eggs once per year if conditions allow

Patience and respect are most important when handling turtles that have matured.

Notable Characteristics at Full Growth

Some distinct traits that set fully developed Western painted turtles apart include:

• Hardened scutes on the shell provide sturdy protection from harm
• Sharpened claws for gripping vegetation, branches, tunnels during climbing
• More prominently developed jawline and facial features
• Deeper barking vocalization from male turtles during breeding season
• Enhanced camouflage patterning that mimics dappled sunlight on rocks, logs, foliage
• Maturity brings improved survival instincts honed over a lifetime in nature

When is a Western Painted Turtle Considered Fully Grown?

Most reptile experts consider Western painted turtles to reach adulthood around 5-7 years old based on their size and traits at that point:

• Shell length averages 5-8 inches as described
• Secondary sex characteristics are clearly defined between males and females
• Exhibits adult behavior and temperament instead of juvenile play/exploring
• Capable of successful breeding and egg-laying if conditions allow

While growth may still occur very gradually after 7 years, this is typically when the turtle has matured into its adult form.

Suitability as a Pet

When properly housed and cared for, an adult Western painted turtle can absolutely make a suitable pet for the right owner. However, there are some important considerations:

• Long life spans mean a 20+ year commitment to care
• Require large, custom habitats that exclude escape risk
• More aggressive bites possible from adults if over-stressed
• Less active and engaging than some reptile species
• Potential health issues as seniors without preventive husbandry

With the right research done up front, experienced owners can certainly provide excellent lifelong homes for adult painted turtles.

Summary

In conclusion, the fully grown Western painted turtle is a calm but still vibrant creature with specialized needs for elderly care. With years of experience, these resilient turtles can thrive for decades. Those ready for the multi-decade commitment may find the adult phase of a painted turtle's life to be just as rewarding as the juvenile stage!