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.

Hábitat: 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.

Aspecto

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.

ReinoAnimaliaFiloChordataClaseReptiliaOrdenTestudinesFamiliaEmydidaeGéneroGraptemys

Black-Knobbed Map Turtle

Categoría

Reptiles

Rareza

Common

Peligro

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Snaps

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Datos interesantes

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.

Habilidades especiales

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.

Medidas y detalles

Longitud: 7-22 cm
Peso: 0.1-1.2 kg
Esperanza de vida: 15-30 años
Top Speed: 12 km/h
Tamaño de la puesta: 1-7
Incubación: 50-70 días

Dieta y alimentación

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.

Diferencias por edad: 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.

Alimentos principales

Freshwater sponges
Bryozoans
Aquatic insects
Snails
Clams

Método de búsqueda

Foraging

Conexiones ecológicas

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.

Rasgos

Aún no hay insignias de rasgos asignadas a este objeto.

También conocido como

Todavía no hay alias listados.

Colecciones

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Seguridad

Peligro

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Todavía no hay notas especiales de seguridad.

Preguntas frecuentes

¿Cómo identificar a Black-Knobbed Map Turtle?

La forma más fácil de identificar a Black-Knobbed Map Turtle es usar la aplicación de identificación de naturaleza Snappit.

¿Cuál es el longitud de Black-Knobbed Map Turtle?

7-22 cm

¿Cuál es el peso de Black-Knobbed Map Turtle?

0.1-1.2 kg

¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de Black-Knobbed Map Turtle?

15-30 años

¿Cuál es el top Speed de Black-Knobbed Map Turtle?

12 km/h

¿Qué come 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.

¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Black-Knobbed Map Turtle?

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.

¿Cómo caza Black-Knobbed Map Turtle?

Foraging