# Common Map Turtle (*Graptemys geographica*) The Common Map Turtle has a beautiful, patterned shell that looks like a map. They enjoy basking on rocks and are great at swimming! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 22 - **Habitat:** Rivers and lakes - **Also known as:** Geographic Map Turtle, Northern Map Turtle ![Common Map Turtle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426841/objects/5628.jpg) ## Appearance The Common Map Turtle has an olive-green shell covered in fine yellow lines, resembling a topographic map. Its head and limbs feature similar yellow streaks, with a small yellow spot behind each eye. A prominent keel runs down the center of its shell. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Emydidae - **Genus:** Graptemys ## Interesting facts - Each turtle's shell pattern is unique, like a human fingerprint, making them special. - Female map turtles grow much bigger than males, almost twice their size! - The temperature of the nest decides if a baby map turtle will be a boy or a girl! - These turtles love to bask together in sunny spots, sometimes stacked on top of each other! ## Special abilities - **Keen-Eyed Hunter:** Common Map Turtle can spot tiny prey from a distance because of their excellent underwater vision. - **Shell Camouflage:** Common Map Turtle has intricate map-like patterns on its shell that help them blend into rocky riverbeds. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-30 cm - **Weight:** 0.1-2.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-30 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 4 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 6-20 - **Incubation:** 50-70 days - **Maximum Depth:** 5 m ## Diet & Feeding These turtles are mostly carnivores, munching on snails, insects, and small fish in their watery homes. - **Age differences:** Younger turtles eat more insects, while adults mainly feast on snails, clams, and crayfish. - **Primary Foods:** Snails, Crayfish, Aquatic insects, Small fish, Clams, Aquatic plants - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Eggs and hatchlings are vulnerable to predation. - **Eaten by:** [American Crow](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-crow) (*Corvus brachyrhynchos*) — Crows often raid nests for turtle eggs. - **Eats:** Pond Snail (*Physa acuta*) — Predominantly feeds on various freshwater snails. - **Eats:** Rusty Crayfish (*Orconectes rusticus*) — Adult turtles crush and consume these crustaceans. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [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. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common 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 Common Map Turtle? 10-30 cm ### How much does Common Map Turtle weigh? 0.1-2.5 kg ### How long does Common Map Turtle live? 15-30 years ### How fast can Common Map Turtle move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Common Map Turtle eat? These turtles are mostly carnivores, munching on snails, insects, and small fish in their watery homes. ### How fast can Common Map Turtle swim? 4 km/h ### Where is Common Map Turtle usually found? Rivers and lakes ## Where to spot - [Black Hawk State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-hawk-state-historic-site) — Illinois, US · Park - [Broadway Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadway-avenue-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Capitol Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/capitol-park-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Grand Circus Park Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/grand-circus-park-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Greektown](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greektown) — Michigan, US · Neighborhood - [Lafayette Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lafayette-park) — Michigan, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Common Map Turtle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-map-turtle) ## 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: [Common Map Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-map-turtle)