Common Map Turtle

Scientific Name: Graptemys geographica
Size: 7.5-10.8 inches (9-27.3 cm) in length
PA Status: Species of special concern

Habitat Type:
Large bodies of water like lakes and rivers.

Colorations:

  • The carapace background color is olive to olive-brown and covered with a complex reticulate pattern of narrow yellow lines.
  • The plastron is pale yellow.
  • The lower marginal scutes are yellow with circular dark markings and the bridge has longitundinal dark lines.
  • The head, neck and chin have a background color of olive-brown and are strongly patterned with a series of thin longitudinal lines.
  • The head has an elongate yellow blotch on each side of the head just above the ears.
  • The postorbital mark is triangular and not connected to the head stripes.
  • The legs and tail are also olive-brown and have thin yellow longitudinal lines.
  • The lower jaw is patterened with yellow longitudinal lines.

Characteristics:

  • Medium-sized aquatic species.
  • Profile View - The carapace is long, flattened and relatively smooth with a slight keel along the midline.
  • Above View - The carapace is oval in outline with a smooth border excpet for a slight serration along the posterior margin.
  • The plastron is large with a wide bridge.
  • Males vertebral spine is present.

Juvenile coloration and characteristics:

  • The plastron is yellow with dark seam-following pattern.
  • Above veiw - Almost circular appearence.
  • The midline keel is more conspicuous.
  • Vertebral spine is present.

Confused with:

  • Painted Turtles

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults
Common Map Turtle - By: Wayne Fidler Common Map Turtle - By: Jeff Hankey Common Map Turtle - By: Kyle Loucks
Common Map Turtle - By: Kyle Loucks

Juveniles
Common Map Turtle - By: Wayne Fidler

Range Map:
Common Map Turtle Range Map

References:

  • Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 231-232pp.
  • Ernst, Carl H. and Lovich, Jeffrey E., and Barbour, Roger W. ,1994. Turtles of the United States and Canada. 340-344pp.

Photo Credits:

  • Wayne Fidler
  • Jeff Hankey
  • Kyle Loucks