Barbour's Map Turtle

 

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Graptemys barbouri

ADULT SIZE

Male  3.5" - 5"            Female  7" - 13"

DIET

Females feed upon mussels and snails, whereas Males eat smaller snails, insects, fish and crayfish.

TEMPERATURE RANGE (°F)

Air Temperature:  Low to mid 80's

Basking Temperature:  High 80's to low 90's

Water Temperature:  Low to mid 70's

HABITAT

Limestone-bottomed Streams and ponds

DISTRIBUTION

FL Panhandle and Georgia

BEGINNER TURTLE

Yes

CAPTIVE HABITAT

These are aggressive baskers, so a basking spot is required. UVB lighting is needed as well as a heat lamp over the basking spot. A submersible heater is recommended if the water temps fall below the recommendation. They are excellent swimmers and their captive habitat should have a water depth as deep as possible. Substrate should be anywhere from a sand to a fine-to-medium size gravel.

RECOMMENDED ENCLOSURE

Recommended size for a single adult Graptemys barbouri would be a 40 gallon aquarium as a minimum (55 or larger preferred) for males, and a 100 gallon aquarium as a minimum (125 or larger preferred) for large females. This will provide adequate swimming area, as well as assisting the filtration in maintaining good water quality. For additional Graptemys barbouri, I would recommend adding 20 gallons of tank space for additional males and 50 gallons of tank space per additional female at a minimum.

Stock Tanks and Rubbermaid containers also work well. The same space recommendations remain the same.

CAPTIVE DIET

In captivity, they do well on Mazuri, ReptoMin, Reptile/Pond 10, Cichlid Sticks, aquatic plants, fish, veggies, snails, crickets, crayfish and assorted worms and insects.

COMMUNITY HABITAT

Barbour's Map Turtle is a great turtle for a community habitat with Mud Turtles, Musk Turtles, Sliders, Cooters, other Map Turtles and Painted Turtles.

OTHER INFORMATION

They are not as skittish as other species of map turtles, but some individuals can be. Map turtles in general are sensitive to water quality, so close attention to their water quality is needed.