Map Turtles (Graptemys sp.)

The map turtles consist of 15 species and subspecies. They inhabit rivers, streams, and lakes within the United States. Some of the species are confined to larger river systems (ie Barbour’s Map Turtle), while others can be found around the Great Lakes (ie Northern Map Turtle). They are grouped as either a broad headed or narrow headed species. Females of the broad headed group get rather large heads for eating mollusks. Map turtles require clean water in order to be adequately cared for. Map turtles have extreme sexual dimorphism, where the females can be twice as large (or more) than the males. They range in size from 13 inches (adult female Barbour’s Map Turtles) to 3 inches (adult male Texas/Cagle’s Map Turtle). Currently, there are 2 species listed as Threatened on the Endangered Species Act (Yellow Blotched and Ringed Map Turtles).

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Cagle's Texas Delta Black Knob Barbour's Northern Pascagoula    Ouachita

Mississippi    False    Sabine    Alabama    Escambia    Ringed    Yellow-Blotched

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Barbour's Map Turtle Graptemys barbouri Juvenile

Cagle's Map Turtle Graptemys caglei Subadult

Delta Map Turtle Graptemys nigrinoda delticola Hatchling

Black Knobbed Map Turtle Graptemys nigrinoda nigrinoda Adult Female

Mississippi Map Turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii Juvenile Female

Northern Map Turtle Graptemys geographica Juvenile

Texas Map Turtle Graptemys versa Adult Male

Pascagoula Map Turtles Graptemys gibbonsi Male and Female

Alabama Map Turtle Graptemys pulchra Juvenile