While the birds have been singing away in attempts to establish territories and attract potential mates, other species of spring breeders have been quietly courting and scoping out safe places to deposit eggs. The painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) for example, is a common backyard breeder that often goes unheard and unseen during the breeding season. From March to mid-June, males will attempt to charm a female by performing an underwater dance, wiggling his foreclaws in her face and swimming around her until she accepts his persistence by sinking to the bottom of the water body. Sounds romantic doesn’t it? Through June and July, the females will wander from ponds, marshes and lakes to open or cleared areas such as railroad beds, lawns or agricultural fields in search of a suitable nesting spot.
The Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta)
Notice the oval shaped carapace and red markings outlining the scutes.
Keep a close eye out, you may have turtles in your backyard too!
Due to their low-profile shell, these turtles can be easily missed moving through a grassy field or yard. Mowers and turtles don’t make a good combination, so if you have a turtle filled pond near your home be aware that painted turtles, like the one pictured above, can be easily overlooked while manicuring the lawn. Raising your mower deck, mowing in rows rather than circles or simply mowing less frequently may reduce turtle-mower encounters and allow for these turtles to safely drop their eggs before making their way back to their watery habitats.
Elyse Henshaw
Conservation Technician
