Painted turtle

Reproduction in the painted turtle is closely tied to seasonal cycles and temperature. Mating takes place from May to July, when water temperatures rise above 10 degrees Celsius. A courtship display between the male and female helps determine whether the partners are in sync for copulation.

Because the female can store sperm for extended periods, the eggs within a single clutch may sometimes be fertilized by different males. She selects a sandy site, where she digs a nest with her hind legs and deposits her eggs.

Egg-laying usually occurs at night, and the number of eggs varies by subspecies and latitude. Incubation lasts roughly 72 to 80 days.

The sex of painted turtles is determined by the temperature at which the eggs are incubated. Eggs hatched at temperatures of 25 to 27°C produce males, while those hatched between 30 and 32°C produce females.

Growth is rapid during the first year, then slows upon reaching sexual maturity, which occurs between 2 and 10 years of age, depending on sex and latitude.