Northern map turtle. They have free access to the majority of this lake and the banks surrounding it. This turtle has a very slight raised ridge (keel) that runs down its back. The others have blotchy plastrons. The Northern map turtle (G. geographica) has a broad range, extending from southern Quebec, Canada, southward along the western side of the Appalachians to central Alabama, westward across Tennessee, down into central Arkansas, up into eastern Kansas, northward through the eastern half of Iowa into southeastern Minnesota, and back eastward … These turtles grow up to 27 centimetres long and have an oval, olive-green carapace. Nesting sites are typically in sandy, open-canopy habitats within a few hundred metres of water. Northern Map Turtle Range Northern Map Turtle Care Published on May 29th 2017 by staff under Turtles. Description: Medium-sized aquatic species. It has a uniformly-colored yellow or creamy plastron (bottom shell). Species: geographica is from the Greek word geo which means "earth" and grapho which means "write". Elle a essayé de pondre ses œufs sous mes framboises. Habitat: Larger lakes, rivers, reservoirs, oxbow sloughs, and open marshes, including some bays and inlets of the Great … These lines are usually shades of yellow, tan, or orange, and are surrounded by dark borders, with the rest of the carapace being olive or greyish brown. Photo of the Northern Map Turtle, Graptemys geographica, on sandy substrate, viewed from the right side. Habitat: Large bodies of water like lakes and rivers. The northern map turtle gets both its common and scientific names from the markings on its carapace, which resemble contour lines on a map or chart. The Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) is listed as Special Concern on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Biology The Northern Map Turtle has by far the largest natural range of any map species. Related Species. The Northern map turtles at Wingham Wildlife Park live on the large lake situated in front of the lions, jaguars and pumas. About the Northern Map Turtle. Call toll-free in *Maryland* at 1-877-620-8DNR (8367) Out of State: 410-260-8DNR (8367) Article was last reviewed on 14th June 2019. The carapace length of females can be as great as 27 cm (10.5 in). Its range extends west through the Great Lakes and into southern Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota, west of the Appalachians, south to Kansas, northeastern Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama and then northwestern Georgia. Northern Map Turtle. Northern Map TurtleNorthern Map Turtle Graptemys geographicaGraptemys geographica Numerous fine yellow lines on an olive green to brownish carapace, resembling a map; may be less obvious in older turtles Rear margin of carapace serrated Carapace has a slight raised area (or keel) down centre of shell Yellow plastron The northern map turtle is known for its raised spikes along its shell, its secretive nature and devoted following. The carapace (upper shell) is olive green with fine yellow lines and has a distinct ridge (keel) along the centre and serrations along its back edge. COSEWIC Status: Special Concern . If you are one of the editors of this guide it should copy everything, but if you're not, it will only copy the licensed content. Northern Map Turtle Graptemys geographica. General description: The shell of the Northern Map Turtle is oval with serrations on the posterior end of the carapace. Common Name: Common/Northern Map Turtle. Graptemys geographica (Emydidae) She tried to lay her eggs under my raspberries. The carapace is olive to brownish with a reticulate pattern of light yellow lines and a shallow medial keel. The Northern Map turtle has a low shell with a serrated rear margin. They naturally range from the north-central to north-eastern U.S. (extending up to Montana, Wisconsin, Michigan, the northern border of New York, up to southwestern Maine & extreme southeastern Canada) & extend down in 2 separate branches, a west branch descending across Iowa down … opossums, skunks and coyotes prey on adult Northern Map Turtles but because this turtle would have been brumating (hibernating) under the water, it is highly unlikely that it was predated by a usual suspect. 580 Taylor Ave., Annapolis MD 21401. Range and habitat The light markings resemble contour lines on a map or chart. This is a large freshwater turtle reaching a maximum carapace length of about 10 inches. Fact. 4. The name "map turtle" comes from the fine yellow lines across the shell, resembling the lines of a topographic map. Northern Map Turtles lack the prominent eyebrow and chin spots. The lines on the carapace are shades of yellow, tan, or orange and are surrounded by dark borders. Identification. Scientific Name: Graptemys geographica Size: 7.5-10.8 inches (9-27.3 cm) in length Status: Species of special concern . These lines continue across the turtle’s head and legs. northern map turtle (Graptemys geographica) Characteristics. Description: Females 7 - 10¾ inches, males 3½ - 6¼ inches. Done. Read this quick guide for more. Northern Map Turtle Endangered on the Susquehanna From the inception of the organization, Teal Richards, a research biologist with Towson University, has offered a wealth of knowledge and advice on how we could contribute to wildlife conservation on a local scale. NORTHERN MAP TURTLE. Protection • Not protected under the Endangered Species Act, 2007. The northern map turtle gets both its common and scientific names from the marking on the skin and carapace. The Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) is listed as Special Concern on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA).It is a highly aquatic species that ventures onto land only to nest and bask. Both the head and legs have an intricate pattern of bright yellow lines. The Map turtle inhabits large bodies of water in and around the Great Lakes. The northern map turtle gets both its common and scientific names from the markings on its carapace, which resemble contour lines on a map or chart. Young Common Map Turtles have a map-like pattern of light colored lines on the shell, and a row of saw-toothed knobs down the center of the back. Northern Map Turtle. Graptemys geographica Identification. Males largely eat insects and crayfish, while females have powerful jaws that they use to crush molluscs, clams and snails. COSSARO Status: Special Concern The Northern Map Turtle has a slightly domed, smooth carapace (shell that covers the back) that may have a strong central keel.A close look at their gray-green carapace reveals curved off-white lines that resemble topographic lines on a map.The posterior margin (rear edge) of their carapace is both toothed and flared. Type of Eater: Omnivore (carnivorous when adult) Size & Weight: 3-10 inches (females are much bigger than males) Description: A medium-sized, aquatic turtle (males 3.5 to 6.25; females 7.0 to 10.75 inches in length) having a low-keeled olive-green to brown carapace (upper shell) with intricate yellow lines, resembling roads or waterways on a map.. Yellowish lines, over dark … The shell is brown in colour and has an intricate network of map like yellow lines giving it its name. The Northern Map Turtle occurs in the Tennessee and Cumberland River drainages of middle and east Tennessee.. The northern map turtle is a small- to medium-sized aquatic species with a low ridge along the center of the upper shell. Northern map turtle - Tortue géographique. This is how the animal acquired its name. The northern map turtle is named for the markings on its shell, which look like the contour lines on a topographical map. The carapace is olive to brown with a reticulate pattern of light yellow lines that fade as the turtle matures. Graptemys geographica. It is a highly aquatic species that ventures onto land only to nest and bask. Common Map Turtles have a dark olive or brown upper shell . A small yellow spot is present behind each eye. Etymology: Genus: Graptemys is derived from the Greek word grapho which means "write" and emys which means "freshwater tortoise".. The lines covering this turtle are thought to resemble rivers or contour lines on a road map. A Map Turtle is any species within the taxonomic genus Graptemys.These aquatic reptiles live throughout North America, and researchers recognize 14 different species throughout their range. Sizes and trends of northern map turtle populations are poorly understood. The feet are large and fully webbed and it is an excellent swimmer. When first described, the markings on its carapace were thought to resemble a contour map, which gave rise to the turtle’s common and scientific names. These lines are usually shades of yellow, tan, or orange, and are surrounded by dark borders, with the rest of the carapace being olive or greyish brown. The northern map turtle looks quite a bit like the other map turtles, but there is a difference. You can recognize these creatures by looking for their unique shells, which have a distinctly pointed ridge down the back. This species has a broad jaw surface, a spot on the side of the large head of the female, and a low and flattened carapace with a central keel that may or may not be elevated to form a tubercle. The species late maturation makes it vulnerable to a chronic increase in adult mortality rates. Common Name: Northern Map Turtle: Scientific Name: Graptemys geographica. Northern Map Turtles are one of a group of three map turtles that are similar in appearance. Males, on the other hand, are usually less than 16 cm (6.2 in) long. Individuals overwinter at the bottom of lakes and rivers. It occurs mainly in the Ozarks and the upper Mississippi River in northeastern Missouri. The Common map turtle inhabits an area from southern Quebec and northwestern Vermont where it lives in the St. Lawrence drainage. The species has a relatively rounded carapace. The rest of the carapace is olive or greyish brown. The Northern Map Turtle is usually found in large water bodies such as rivers and lakes, particularly in areas with slow-moving water and abundant basking sites. KANSAS: Threatened FEDERAL: N/A Scientific Name: Graptemys geographica CATEGORY: T&E SPECIES CLASS: Chelonia Date Listed: T 1993 Recovery Plan: No SPECIES DESCRIPTION. Northern Map Turtle Graptemys geographica (Le Sueur, 1817) Key Characters: Small, isolated, somewhat triangular spot or mark behind eye; carapace with sawtooth rear margin and low midback keel; vertebral knobs or spines distinct in juveniles, small in … Description: Northern map turtles, also called common map turtles, are the most abundant and widespread of all map turtle species. Raccoons. The northern map turtle gets its name from the markings on its shell, which resemble contour lines on a map. Northern Map Turtle. The Northern Map Turtle During Your Day Out in Kent. 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