A painted painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) observed laying eggs in Livingston County, Michigan. Painted turtles spend most of their time in and around ponds. However, female painted turtles leave the ponds in summer to find suitable areas to lay their eggs. The developing turtles will often stay in the next through winter, and dig their way out in the spring.

A juvenile painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) observed in Livingston County, Michigan. Painted turtles are the state reptile of Michigan.