Species: Chrysemys picta
Encyclopedia of Puget Sound

Shell hard, somewhat flattened; bright yellow lines on head and limbs; lower shell orange or reddish, with conspicuous dark markings in juveniles; upper shell often with narrow yellow lines (reduced in larger individuals), less often with dark reticulation; upper jaw notched at tip; maximum upper shell length of female about 25 cm, rarely more than 21 cm (males are much smaller). Mature male: vent located beyond rear edge of upper shell with tail extended; fingernails very long; lower shell not concave. Mature female: vent at or inside rear edge of upper shell with tail extended; fingernails not especially long. Juvenile: as in adult female, with a deep crease across abdominal shields of lower shell. Hatchling: upper shell keeled; lower shell vivid orange/red, with a central dark figure having a sinuous outer edge; upper shell length 19-28 mm (average 23-24 mm). Eggs: elliptical, whitish, smooth surface with small pores; shell initially flexible, then becomes more rigid, 21-36 mm x 15-21 mm (mostly about 29-33 x 18-19 mm). Source: Hammerson (1999).
Classification
Chelonia
Cryptodeira
Emydidae
Chrysemys
NatureServe
Classification
Ecology and Life History
Shell hard, somewhat flattened; bright yellow lines on head and limbs; lower shell orange or reddish, with conspicuous dark markings in juveniles; upper shell often with narrow yellow lines (reduced in larger individuals), less often with dark reticulation; upper jaw notched at tip; maximum upper shell length of female about 25 cm, rarely more than 21 cm (males are much smaller). Mature male: vent located beyond rear edge of upper shell with tail extended; fingernails very long; lower shell not concave. Mature female: vent at or inside rear edge of upper shell with tail extended; fingernails not especially long. Juvenile: as in adult female, with a deep crease across abdominal shields of lower shell. Hatchling: upper shell keeled; lower shell vivid orange/red, with a central dark figure having a sinuous outer edge; upper shell length 19-28 mm (average 23-24 mm). Eggs: elliptical, whitish, smooth surface with small pores; shell initially flexible, then becomes more rigid, 21-36 mm x 15-21 mm (mostly about 29-33 x 18-19 mm). Source: Hammerson (1999).