The Basics:

The Ornate Wood Turtle is also often called the "Painted Wood Turtle," a tribute to its beautiful and distinctive markings that look as if they were etched by an artist. The turtle's high domed shell only adds to the dramatic effect. Both the shell and the head are light brown to olive, and it has bright red lines on the snout and face. Like most turtles, it is relatively long-lived, provided it is given proper care. Most specimens
will be about six or seven inches in length, although some may be slightly smaller or larger. Aside from being one of the most beautiful turtles available in the pet trade, the Ornate Wood Turtle is also one of the more personable. As a rule, it tends to be outgoing, curious and active. Many Ornate Wood Turtles will accept food from their keepers’ hands. (Always wash your hands after feeding a turtle.) Typically, the Ornate Wood Turtles available to the pet trade are wild caught. In nature, they can be found in damp woodlands and scrublands.

Enclosure:
A Pen Suits Them More Than A Tank :

Since they are so active, Ornate Wood Turtles are often better suited for a wide and long pen covered by a screen top
rather than an aquarium tank. If they are kept in a tank, a minimum size of 120 gallons for a single individual is essential. Ornate Wood Turtles need to spend time every day in water, so their enclosure must be semi aquatic. Part of their tank space must be covered by water that's about as high as the top of the turtle's shell at its deepest point. There
should be a slope of smooth rocks or other material leading up to the dry area. Rocks should also be used to create “resting islands’ in the aquatic area. Basking rocks should
be placed in the dry area of the enclosure. A shelter or hide box should also be provided.

Substrate:
They Like To Burrow:

A 3-4 inch deep mixture of sterilized sand and nonaromatic
wood bark, with damp sphagnum moss mixed in selected sections provides a good substrate. This will provide the turtle with a chance to burrow. Care must be taken to keep substrate dry to protect against infections. Inspect the substrate daily, and change it regularly to prevent the build up of bacteria.

Temperature:
They Need A Thermal Gradient:

Ornate Wood Turtles will regulate body temperature by moving between warm and cooler areas. Their enclosure should provide this thermal gradient. Ambient temperatures should be between 75 and 82º Fahrenheit, with a basking area from 88 to 95º Fahrenheit. Turn off basking lamp and other heating devices at night and allow the enclosure to be at room temperature, provided it doesn't fall below 60º. Heat producing devices can be controlled by a thermostat or rheostat. Always follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully when using heat-producing products. Since maintaining the proper temperature is so critical to the health of Ornate Wood Turtles, it should never be guessed. Thermometers should be placed in the water, about two inches over the surface of the dry area substrate and in the basking area. Important - see the Note About Day/Night Light Cycles and Heating below.

Lighting:
UVB Exposure Is Essential :

Ornate Wood Turtles must be exposed to UVB light 12 hours a day. This should be provided by a reptile fluorescent lamp designed specifically for terrarium use that emits UVB rays. The fluorescent bulb should be replaced every six months. Glass blocks out UVB light, so overhead light sources should be kept behind a wire mesh cover, not a glass or acrylic tank top. Exposure to UVB is necessary, if the turtle is to receive the amount of vitamin D needed for the metabolism of calcium, which is essential to the development of a healthy skeletal system, including the shell. Important - see the Note About Day/Night Light Cycles and Heating below.

Note About Day/Night Light Cycles and Heating:

All reptiles, including this pet, must have distinct day and night periods in their enclosure to maintain their biological rhythms. (See the lighting entry above for the specific length of this animal’s day/night cycle.) The day period must be light; and night must be dark. A timer should be used to set day/night periods. If a heat source is required to maintain correct nighttime temperatures, use heat mats or strips mounted below or on the side of the tank, infrared heat lamps, ceramic heat emitters, or a combination of these products. This will allow the enclosure to be heated while remaining dark. Follow directions carefully with all products. If ceramic heat emitters are used, always choose fixtures with porcelain or ceramic sockets and to protect against fires do not place them by dry wood or flammable fabrics. Ceramic heat emitters must be kept out of the reach of children and all pets, including dogs and cats.

Diet:
They're Hearty Eaters:

Ornate Wood Turtles will seldom reject any food items that are offered to them. It's the keeper's responsibility to ensure that these hearty eaters are always offered smart choices. Plant matter, such as Romaine, dandelion, squash, sweet potato, carrot, tomato, corn, mango, and apples, should make up 80% of their diet. Protein rich food, such as prepared turtle pellets, crickets and earthworms, should make up the remainder. All plant matter should be finely diced. Adults should be fed every other day, and juveniles daily. Place food on a shallow dish, and remove uneaten portions after 1-2 hours. Important -- It is necessary to provide calcium and vitamin supplements as part of the diet. Please read the supplement section below:

This pet eats plant and animal matter. The insects offered to it should be dusted with a plain calcium supplement. Either the insects or plant matter offered to it should also be dusted with vitamin supplements. As a rule, a growing juvenile's food should be dusted more often than an adult's. Follow product label directions when applying supplements, and avoid over-supplementing food.

Water & Humidity:

Always make sure an Ornate Wood Turtle has access to clean, fresh water that is free of chlorine and heavy metals. Like all turtles, they will drink the water they swim and soak in, so it's important to remove uneaten food, debris and waste promptly, and change water daily. Ornate Wood Turtles should have a high humidity level in their enclosure. This can be maintained by having a swim area in the enclosure, and by misting daily. Use a hygrometer to measure humidity levels.