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ReptileFreshwaterSemi-aquaticEasy
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False Map Turtle
Graptemys pseudogeographica
The 'False Map Turtle'. Iconic fluvial aquatic tortoise (10 inches), famous for the 'topographic' street map designs in bright yellow on the emerald green shell and for the piercing golden eyes cut by black stripes. Hyperactive and solar swimmer, needs boiling baskings and very extended and clean aquariums to avoid the fungal collapse typical of these species.
Class:Testudines
Order:Testudines
Family:Emydidae
Genus:Graptemys
Species:Graptemys pseudogeographica
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Water Temperature
20 - 32 °C
Environment
Freshwater / Semi-aquatic
Humidity
80 - 100 %
Day temperature
24 - 28 °C
Night temperature
20 - 24 °C
UVB
High
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Large fast-flowing rivers, clean oxbow lakes and deep sunny currents of the American Mid-West.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Emydidae. The Graptemys genus (Map turtles) is famous for its high sexual dimorphism (females become gigantic, males remain pocket-sized) and for the very intricate neon yellow cobwebs on the skin (similar to a topographic map).
Behavior and Habits: Hyperactive and easily frightened surfers. Fantastic swimmers, they navigate in the aquarium 24 hours a day. They madly love to spend hours on emerged rocks under scorching lamps to dry their serrated shells (Extreme basking), but they launch themselves lightning fast into the water at the slightest movement in the room (they are habitual prey of eagles in nature).
Morphology: Aerodynamic and highly 'saw-toothed' shell on the rear edge. Olive green carapace furrowed by golden maps (very visible in babies, they darken in adults). Breathtaking face: yellow stripes that wrap in a ring behind the eye. Males (5-6 inches / 12-15 cm) remain 'dwarfs' and have huge tails; females explode to 10-11 inches / 25-28 cm of pure muscular length.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Illinois Natural History Survey reports rivers and backwaters with mud bottoms and abundant basking sites as habitat for Graptemys pseudogeographica. This field-habitat statement is not a captive-enclosure specification; the source provides no dimensions, water volume, substrate depth, or basking-equipment protocol.
Lighting and Heating: The cited source does not provide a captive lighting schedule or heating target for this species; none is inferred here.
Humidity and Hydration: The cited source does not provide a captive humidity target or hydration protocol for this species; none is inferred here.
Feeding and Supplementation: Illinois Natural History Survey reports the species as omnivorous, feeding almost equally on plants and animals, including mollusks and insects. This natural-history observation does not establish captive portions, frequency, or supplementation.
Compatibility and Coexistence: Illinois Natural History Survey reports that the species is extremely wary when basking and among the first turtles to dive into water when approached by boat. This field observation is not a recommendation about cohabitation.
Health and Common Diseases: The cited source does not provide disease, treatment, or veterinary-management guidance for this species. Reproductive field history is limited to nesting from late May into early July, with females laying two to three clutches of ellipsoidal, flexible-shelled eggs of about 14 eggs per clutch; it does not establish a captive breeding protocol.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Large fast-flowing rivers, clean oxbow lakes and deep sunny currents of the American Mid-West.
Origin
North America
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- No verified data available
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
