Western Painted Turtle
Chrysemys picta bellii
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- C. p. bellii – Los Angeles Co, CA – photo by Gary Nafis
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- C. p. bellii – Los Angeles Co, CA – photo by Gary Nafis
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- C. p. bellii – Maricopa Co, AZ – photo by Tom Brennan
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- Map by Steve Bledsoe, SWCHR
DISTRIBUTION: In our region, Chrysemys p. bellii occurs naturally in isolated populations in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. In California it is believed that this species has been introduced as it is only occasionally seen in heavily human populated areas of coastal southern California and the San Francisco Bay area which would indicate that the specimens sighted are released pets. It is uncertain if Chrysemys p. bellii has established actual breeding populations in California.
LEGAL STATUS: No Listings
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Chrysemys picta belli (Gray – 1831)
Genus: Chrysemys, Greek – khrysos = golden, yellow or light green + emys = a freshwater tortoise – prob. ref. yellow stripes on head of all members of this genus
Species: picta, Latin = painted, embroidered
Subspecies: bellii, honors Thomas Bell
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jaeger 1962