What do painted turtles look like and are they legal to get as pets???

Question

Also where can tou get them and can they make friends with sliders?

Answer 1

Mostly black to dark brown with red markings on the side: http://www.prairiepublic.org/features/riverwatch/safari/images/painted%20turtle.jpg

If you're planning to catch one (they're native in many parts of the US), you may need a fishing license or permit to keep it, depending on what state you're from. You can check with your state's fish and/or wildlife department.

I would be very cautious putting a wild painted (or any other wild-caught turtle) with any pet store turtle. I would even advise to use caution if you buy one. Turtles are often caught then sold through a supplier to pet stores and they may have infections you don't know about that could be spread to the other turtle. I once bought (from Petco) a spiny softshell that was found to have tapeworms, shell fungus, and a respriatory infection. After a few visits to a herp vet and a few weeks of treatment, he was fine.

Whether or not you'd be able to find them in a pet store may depend on your state's laws as well. Some states don't allow the sell of native species. You can ask at a local pet store the next time you're in and see if they can get them for you. Otherwise, you might need to find a breeder and order online. The kingsnake classifieds would be a place you could start your search: http://market.kingsnake.com/index.php?cat=39

When keeping multiple turtles, it would be best if they were both about the same size - otherwise, you should keep them in separate set-ups. That's usually not a bad idea if their different species as well.

Answer 2

Depends on State.

Look at wikipedia for painted turtle -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Painted-turtle.jpg

Answer 3

in spite of the regulation, are you going to purchase the couple hundred money of tank, warmth lamps, filter out, aquarium heater, UV fluorescent mild, and stay fish, bugs, shrimp, krill, and nutrition/calcium supplement?