# 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. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Freshwater rivers and lakes ![Barbour's Map Turtle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Barbour's_Map_Turtle_kame.jpg&width=800) Photo: maimaip2000, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Barbour's_Map_Turtle_kame.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Emydidae - **Genus:** Graptemys ## 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 - **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. - **Riverbed Camouflage:** Barbour's Map Turtle has intricate patterns on its shell that help them blend into rocky riverbeds and hide from predators. - **Underwater Vision:** Barbour's Map Turtle has specialized eyes that help them see clearly underwater to spot tiny prey in murky river waters. - **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 - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-alligator) (*Alligator mississippiensis*) — Adult turtles can be prey for large alligators. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spotted): Marked with spots or patches of a different color. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## 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? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Barbour's Map Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barbours-map-turtle)