# Ouachita Map Turtle (*Graptemys ouachitensis*) The Ouachita Map Turtle is a special turtle with beautiful patterns on its shell that look like a map! They love to bask in the sun on rocks and are often found in rivers and lakes. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Freshwater rivers and lakes ![Ouachita Map Turtle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Graptemys_ouachitensis_hatchling.jpg&width=800) Photo: Aaron Bishop, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Graptemys_ouachitensis_hatchling.jpg) ## Appearance The Ouachita Map Turtle has a distinctive olive to brown shell with yellow, maze-like lines that resemble a map. It also features a prominent, irregular yellow or orange blotch behind each eye. Its shell often has a noticeable ridge down the center. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Emydidae - **Genus:** Graptemys ## Interesting facts - Baby turtles have extra spikes on their shell to look scary to predators! - Male Ouachita Map Turtles are often half the size of females! - These turtles eat lots of algae, helping to keep river water clean for everyone! - They use their strong claws to climb onto logs and sun themselves for hours! ## Special abilities - **Shell Fortress:** Ouachita Map Turtle can retreat quickly into its hard, protective shell that helps them hide from danger. - **Sonar Gaze:** Ouachita Map Turtle can see clearly underwater because of specialized eyes that help them spot food and predators. - **Stealth Sniper:** Ouachita Map Turtle can lie motionless to wait for food because its patient nature helps them ambush small critters. - **Sun Charger:** Ouachita Map Turtle can warm up in the sun because its cold-blooded nature helps them control body temperature. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 10-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.2-1.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 1 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 4 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 6-15 - **Incubation:** 60-90 days - **Maximum Depth:** 5 m ## Diet & Feeding These turtles primarily munch on plants and insects, but also enjoy snails and small fish! - **Age differences:** Young turtles eat more insects and small critters, while adults prefer plants and algae. - **Primary Foods:** aquatic plants, algae, insect larvae, snails, small fish, crayfish - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raids nests for eggs and preys on young turtles. - **Eaten by:** [American Alligator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-alligator) (*Alligator mississippiensis*) — Predator of larger turtles in shared habitats. - **Eats:** Pond Snail (*Physa acuta*) — Actively consumes these small aquatic snails. - **Eats:** Coontail (*Ceratophyllum demersum*) — Grazes on this common submerged aquatic plant. ## 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. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [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. - [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 never try to pick them up without asking an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ouachita 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 Ouachita Map Turtle? 10-25 cm ### How much does Ouachita Map Turtle weigh? 0.2-1.5 kg ### How long does Ouachita Map Turtle live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Ouachita Map Turtle move? 1 km/h ### What does Ouachita Map Turtle eat? These turtles primarily munch on plants and insects, but also enjoy snails and small fish! ### How fast can Ouachita Map Turtle swim? 4 km/h ### Where is Ouachita Map Turtle usually found? Freshwater rivers and lakes ## Where to spot - [Colbert County Courthouse Square Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colbert-county-courthouse-square-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Pickwick Landing State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pickwick-landing-state-park) — Tennessee, US · State Park - [Tuscumbia Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/tuscumbia-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District [View all places to see Ouachita Map Turtle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/ouachita-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: [Ouachita Map Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ouachita-map-turtle)