Black-Knobbed Map Turtle

graptemys nigrinoda

The Black-Knobbed Map Turtle is a striking and highly specialized aquatic turtle endemic to the Mobile Bay drainage system in Alabama and Mississippi. Named for the prominent, dark, bulbous spines protruding from its vertebral scutes, this medium-sized turtle is a favorite among herpetologists and wildlife observers. It spends a massive portion of its day basking on fallen logs and branches hanging over fast-flowing rivers. This species is highly adapted to riverine environments, displaying exceptional swimming capabilities and a specialized diet that helps keep river ecosystems balanced. Due to its limited geographic range and sensitivity to water pollution, it serves as an important indicator species for the health of freshwater systems in the southeastern United States.

Lebensraum: Found in moderate to fast-flowing river systems, particularly those with clay or sandy bottoms and abundant basking sites like fallen trees and brush piles.

Aussehen

This turtle is easily recognized by the 2 to 4 black, knob-like projections on the center of its carapace, which resemble a miniature mountain range. The carapace itself is olive-brown to dark green, featuring fine, yellow-to-orange circular markings on each scute that resemble a map. The plastron is yellow with a bold, dark pattern along the seams. Its head, neck, and limbs are dark grey or black, decorated with vibrant yellow stripes, including a distinctive yellow crescent behind each eye. Females are significantly larger than males, reaching up to 22 cm in carapace length, while males rarely exceed 12 cm.

ReichAnimaliaStammChordataKlasseReptiliaOrdnungTestudinesFamilieEmydidaeGattungGraptemys

Black-Knobbed Map Turtle

Kategorie

Reptilien

Seltenheit

Common

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Snaps

Mach den ersten Snap!

Interessante Fakten

The prominent black spikes on their shells tend to wear down and become more rounded or flattened as the turtle ages.

The species exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination, meaning the temperature of the nest decides whether the hatchlings are male or female.

They are incredibly shy baskers; they will dive into the river at the slightest shadow, sound, or movement from hundreds of feet away.

Besondere Fähigkeiten

Its streamlined shell and protruding vertebral knobs help break water tension, allowing the turtle to navigate fast-flowing river currents with ease.

They possess an acute ability to regulate body temperature by balancing extensive basking sessions on elevated logs with quick plunge-dives into cool river waters.

Adult females develop broad, flat alveolar surfaces on their jaws, which allow them to effortlessly crush hard-shelled mollusks and snails.

Maße und Details

Länge: 7-22 cm
Gewicht: 0.1-1.2 kg
Lebenserwartung: 15-30 Jahre
Top Speed: 12 km/h
Gelegegröße: 1-7
Brutzeit: 50-70 Tage

Ernährung und Fütterung

This species primarily feeds on freshwater sponges, bryozoans, aquatic insects, and small mollusks. Females, with their larger jaws, consume more hard-shelled prey than males.

Altersunterschiede: Juveniles and adult males feed heavily on soft-bodied aquatic insects, while mature females shift their diet toward larger, hard-shelled mollusks and snails due to their increased jaw size.

Hauptnahrung

Freshwater sponges
Bryozoans
Aquatic insects
Snails
Clams

Nahrungssuche

Foraging

Ökologische Zusammenhänge

hunts

Asian Clam

Corbicula fluminea

Preys upon freshwater bivalves and snails in river beds.

eaten by

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Eggs and hatchlings are heavily preyed upon along the sandy riverbanks.

hunts

Magnificent Bryozoan

Pectinatella magnifica

Feeds extensively on bryozoan colonies growing on submerged wood.

Merkmale

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Auch bekannt als

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Sammlungen

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Sicherheit

Gefahr

1/5 · Sehr gering

Noch keine besonderen Sicherheitshinweise.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Wie identifiziert man Black-Knobbed Map Turtle?

Der einfachste Weg, Black-Knobbed Map Turtle zu bestimmen, ist die Verwendung der Naturführer-App Snappit.

Was ist der/die/das länge von Black-Knobbed Map Turtle?

7-22 cm

Was ist der/die/das gewicht von Black-Knobbed Map Turtle?

0.1-1.2 kg

Was ist der/die/das lebenserwartung von Black-Knobbed Map Turtle?

15-30 Jahre

Was ist der/die/das top Speed von Black-Knobbed Map Turtle?

12 km/h

Was frisst Black-Knobbed Map Turtle?

This species primarily feeds on freshwater sponges, bryozoans, aquatic insects, and small mollusks. Females, with their larger jaws, consume more hard-shelled prey than males.

Wo findet man Black-Knobbed Map Turtle normalerweise?

Found in moderate to fast-flowing river systems, particularly those with clay or sandy bottoms and abundant basking sites like fallen trees and brush piles.

Wie jagt Black-Knobbed Map Turtle?

Foraging