Occurs in lacustrine and riverine habitats. Primarily carnivorous, although some aquatic plant material is taken. Feeds mainly on aquatic insects and larvae, and includes fish, frogs, carrion, small mollusks and crustaceans in the diet. Food animals are either benthic or associated with submergent vegetation.
Plant material includes aquatic angiosperms and green algae.
Opportunistic shifts in diet occur in response to shifts in prey availability. Turtles will shift to more omnivorous food habits in habitats where benthic invertebrates are less abundant. No difference between male and female feeding habits, nor shifts in diet with age. Forage by crawling slowly and methodically along bottom in shallow water in both dense vegetation and open water. Probably nests on shore not far from water in sand, loamy soil, or dead vegetation.