Common Map Turtle
ExploreReptiles
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!
Habitat: Rivers and lakes
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.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTestudinesOrderTestudinesFamilyEmydidaeGenusGraptemys
Category
ReptilesRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
2
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
Ability
Keen-Eyed Hunter
Common Map Turtle can spot tiny prey from a distance because of their excellent underwater vision.
Ability
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
- Top 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
Procyon lotor
Eggs and hatchlings are vulnerable to predation.
eaten by
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
Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Armored
Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense.
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.
Also known as
Geographic Map TurtleNorthern Map Turtle
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
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
How does Common Map Turtle hunt?
Foraging
Snap Map
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