Common Map Turtle

 

 

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Graptemys geographica

ADULT SIZE

Male   4" - 6"            Female   7" - 10¾"

DIET

In the wild, they feed on snails, clams, insect, insect larvae, crayfish, carrion, some plant matter.

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

Soft-bottomed Rivers, Lakes, Ponds and Oxbows.

DISTRIBUTION

Southern Quebec and NW Vermont west to Wisconsin, south to Arkansas and Georgia. Can also be found in Pennsylvania, Maryland and the Delware River.

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 geographica would be a 40 gallon aquarium as a minimum (55 or larger preferred) for males, and a 90 gallon aquarium as a minimum (100 or larger preferred) for females. This will provide adequate swimming area, as well as assisting the filtration in maintaining good water quality. For additional Graptemys geographica, I would recommend adding 20 gallons of tank space for additional males and 40 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 and ReptoMin, Reptile/Pond 10, Cichlid Sticks, some aquatic plants and veggies, snails, crickets, insect larvae, crayfish and assorted worms and insects.

COMMUNITY HABITAT

Common Map Turtles are a great turtle for a community habitat with Mud Turtles, Musk Turtles, Sliders, Cooters, other Map Turtles and Painted Turtles.

OTHER INFORMATION

Common Map Turtles are not quite as skittish as are other species of map turtles, but they do retain some of the typical map turtle nervousness. Map turtles in general are sensitive to water quality, so close attention to their water quality is needed.