08/05/2026
It's Wildlife Wednesday again! 🐢🎣
If you're out fishing at the pond, you might just catch one of these guys...
The Western painted turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) is not native to Salisbury, North Carolina. North Carolina is instead home to the native Eastern Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta picta). Western painted turtles naturally inhabit the upper Midwest, western North America, and parts of Canada, featuring a distinct red-and-orange lower shell.
Native vs. Non-Native Status in North Carolina
Local species: The Eastern Painted Turtle thrives locally in slow-moving streams, ponds, and wetlands across Piedmont North Carolina.
Geographic mismatch: Western painted turtles found in local North Carolina waterways are typically former pets released into the wild.
Identification: You can track regional sightings and contributions on platforms like iNaturalist, or view regional guides via Amphibians and Reptiles of North Carolina.