| Common Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) |
| Synonyms: Testudo geographica, Terrapene geographica, Emys lesueuri, Emys geographica, Malacoclemmys geographica, Northern Map Turtle |
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Graptemys geographica occurs in eastern North America including the lower Great Lakes, the Mississippi-Missouri Basin, and the Susquehanna, Delaware and Hudson rivers (Map). It prefers open water in rivers and lakes, usually with snags or rocks for basking. This species is sexually dimorphic, with smaller males (carapace length 10-16 cm, weight 150-400 g) and larger females (18-27 cm and 500-2,500 g). The carapace is olive or greyish brown, with yellow or tan contour lines and a low keel (more prominent in males). The head, neck and limbs are dark olive or brown, with thin yellow stripes. G. geographica is active between late April and October, and hibernates underwater for the rest of the year. Females excavate nests in May-July, and lay 6-17 eggs. The majority of hatchlings overwinter in the nest and emerge the following spring. Common Map Turtles feed on mollusks, insects and crayfish. The longevity may exceed 20 years.
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