| Scientific Name | Chrysemys picta bellii |
| Category | D |
| Taxon | Reptiles |
| Climate Change Vulnerability Score | Less Vulnerable |
The Western Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta bellii) is a small aquatic turtle with a smooth, dark upper shell and bright red and yellow markings on its sides, underneath, feet, and head. It is omnivorous, although its young are carnivorous, and its lives in ponds, marshes, lakes, and streams with sandy or muddy bottoms and aquatic vegetation. The Western Painted Turtle will experience a high degree of climate exposure and has a high adaptive capacity. Overall, it has a Climate Change Vulnerability Index ranking of Less Vulnerable under both Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and RCP 8.5 Scenarios. The Western Painted Turtle’s climate change vulnerability is impacted by factors related to demography, life history, and abiotic niche, which influence its ability to persist in place and respond to climate change impacts. It also has documented or modeled responses to climate change that impact its vulnerability score.
