This subspecies of turtle reproduces less often than painted turtles in other regions - although they lay plenty of eggs when they do. The eggs hatch in the fall and the hatchlings usually spend the winter hibernating in their nest chamber and emerge the following spring. During that time the eggs are vulnerable to raccoons, skunks, coyotes, otters, mink, squirrels, various bird species and domestic cats and dogs.  The predation rate can be as high as 90%. Young western painted turtles feed mainly on tadpoles, insects, crayfish and snails, graduating to bigger prey like fish and frogs as they get older. To give them the energy they need for foraging and mating, these turtles will bask in the sun several times a day to raise their temperature.  Adult turtles overwinter within the soft, muddy bottoms of lakes and wetlands and emerge when the water temperature reaches 6 degrees Celsius.

This species and its regional population are listed under the Federal Species At Risk Act (SARA) and may be subject to protections under the BC Wildlife Act. Habitat for this species may also be governed under provincial and federal regulations including the Fish Protection Act and Federal Fisheries Act as well as Regional and local municipal bylaws.