what does a painted turtle eat and what type of environment does it need to live in?

Answer 1

Painted turtles are a member of a group loosely called 'Pond Turtles'. Most of the North American pond turtles have very similar habits.

Young pond turtles eat mostly meats they find in the water- fish, worms, crustaceans, bugs, etc. They will eat a little plant life to start with, but add more and more plants as they age until they eat about 50/50 plants and animals.

You can maintain a pond turtle in captivity on high-quality turtle 'chows'. Note that cheap prepared foods use cheap and less nutritious ingredients.

Pond turtles live in slow moving waters for the most part, in lakes, etc. where they can come on land for egg-laying or to look for new territories. They like to sun-bathe (bask) on logs and need a good food supply.

Painteds are very adaptable and live in most of the US, from city lagoons to road-side ditches.

Answer 2

This website address should cover it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painted_turtle