i was given a Midland Smooth turtle today. does anyone know how to care for him?

Question

and weather he is legal in massachusetts?
thanks

Answer 1

Please get a book on turtles. They have to be fact checked, so they are more accurate than the internet. Anyone can (and does) write anything on the internet.
As to legality. Call a veterinarian, they will know the laws in your area.

Answer 2

You mean Midland Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata). There are no Midland Painted in Mass, only Eastern Painted tutles (Chrysemys picta picta). Click on the following link has photos of many turtles, look under Painted turtles. The easiest way to tell if it is Midland or Eastern is by the scute (keratin plates) on the shell. The Eastern's scutes line up while, Midland's do not. It's key to ID it properly to determine whether it a native speices. If it is Midland you can keep it, but if it is eastern, which is native to Mass, you will have to follow your state laws. You need to check up on them. Sorry, I am not up on every state law for turtles.

Painteds are easy to keep. Here is a caresheet:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/caresheet-midland_painted.htm

If you need help positively IDing it, feel free to send pics to me.

Answer 3

Do you mean midland painted turtle(C.picta marginata)? Does it have red/orange marking around the edge of its shell, and is its belly colored solid or with a large centralized blotch?

Check your state DNR wildlife division site for regs on native reptile captives. I do not know your states applicable laws. If it is a painted your natives can be an eastern Painted (Chrysemys picta picta) as well as maybe Midlands,, Old maps placed an intergrade zone in your state. I dont know what current range maps show.