Barbour's Map Turtle
ExploreReptiles
Barbour's Map Turtle
Graptemys barbouri
Barbour's Map Turtle is a special turtle with beautiful, map-like patterns on its shell. They love to bask in the sun on logs and enjoy swimming in rivers and lakes.
Habitat: Freshwater rivers and lakes
Appearance
The Barbour's Map Turtle has a prominent ridge, or keel, down its olive-green to brown shell, which is covered in intricate, map-like yellow lines. Its dark skin displays striking yellow markings, especially on the head and neck, making it visually distinct from other river turtles.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTestudinesOrderTestudinesFamilyEmydidaeGenusGraptemys
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Female Barbour's Map Turtles can grow much bigger than males, up to twice as long!
Their incredible map-like shell patterns are unique, just like a human fingerprint!
They are expert shell-crushers, with super strong jaws for their favorite mollusk snacks!
This turtle lives only in specific rivers in the southeastern USA, found nowhere else!
Special abilities
Ability
Powerful Jaw Crusher
Barbour's Map Turtle has powerful jaws and a strong bite that helps them easily crush the shells of snails and clams for food.
Ability
Riverbed Camouflage
Barbour's Map Turtle has intricate patterns on its shell that help them blend into rocky riverbeds and hide from predators.
Ability
Underwater Vision
Barbour's Map Turtle has specialized eyes that help them see clearly underwater to spot tiny prey in murky river waters.
Ability
Current Navigator
Barbour's Map Turtle can swim powerfully and navigate strong river currents because of its streamlined shell and webbed feet.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 10-33 cm
- Weight
- 0.2-2.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 20-30 years
- Top Speed
- 0.8 km/h
- Swim Speed
- 3 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 4-13
- Incubation
- 60-75 days
- Maximum Depth
- 5 m
Diet & Feeding
They mostly munch on snails, clams, and insects, but also eat some aquatic plants.
Age differences: Young turtles eat more insects, while larger females specialize in crushing mollusks.
Primary Foods
- snails
- clams
- aquatic insects
- crayfish
- aquatic plants
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
American Alligator
Alligator mississippiensis
Adult turtles can be prey for large alligators.
eaten by
Raccoon
Procyon lotor
Raccoons often raid nests, eating Barbour's Map Turtle eggs.
eats
Banded Mystery Snail
Viviparus georgianus
These turtles crush and consume various river snails.
eats
Elephantear Mussel
Elliptio crassidens
Large females prey on freshwater mussels found in riverbeds.
Traits
Spotted
Marked with spots or patches of a different color.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Diurnal
Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Keystone Species
Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch turtles from a distance and don't try to touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Barbour's Map Turtle?
The easiest way to identify Barbour's Map Turtle is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is Barbour's Map Turtle?
10-33 cm
How much does Barbour's Map Turtle weigh?
0.2-2.5 kg
How long does Barbour's Map Turtle live?
20-30 years
How fast can Barbour's Map Turtle move?
0.8 km/h
What does Barbour's Map Turtle eat?
They mostly munch on snails, clams, and insects, but also eat some aquatic plants.
How fast can Barbour's Map Turtle swim?
3 km/h
Where is Barbour's Map Turtle usually found?
Freshwater rivers and lakes
Snap Map
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