Kingdom Animalia Class Reptilia Subfamily Deirochelyinae Phylum Chordata Order Turtle | Subphylum Vertebrata Family Emydidae Genus Graptemys Rank Subspecies | |
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Scientific name Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni Similar Turtle, Graptemys, False map turtle, Northern map turtle, Ouachita map turtle | ||
Mississippi map turtle setup care explained
The Mississippi map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni) is a subspecies of land and water turtle belonging to the family Emydidae. G. p. kohni is endemic to the central United States. Map turtles get their common name from the lines and markings on their carapace which resemble the contour lines of a map. They occur in the Mississippi Valley from Illinois and Nebraska, down into the Gulf States from Mississippi to Texas, usually in rivers, lakes and large streams (not typically in isolated farm ponds or small creeks). They tend to prefer habitat with abundant vegetation.
Contents
- Mississippi map turtle setup care explained
- Turtle shack unboxing mississippi map turtle
- Etymology
- Geographic range
- Description
- Captivity
- References
Turtle shack unboxing mississippi map turtle
Etymology
The Mississippi map turtle derives its common name not from the state of Mississippi, but rather from the Mississippi River.
The specific name, kohni, is in honor of amateur naturalist Joseph Gustave Kohn (1837-1906) of New Orleans, Louisiana, who collected the type specimen.
Geographic range
It is found along the Mississippi River and its tributaries, from Illinois and Missouri southward.
Description
Females are considerably larger than males, the adult male being 3.5 to 5 inches (about 9 to 13 cm) in carapace length, and the adult female from 6 to 10 inches (about 15 to 25 cm) in carapace length. Males have a leaner look, more like juveniles, but females have a larger, bulkier build.
Captivity
It is a popular pet for aquarists and is very enjoyable to watch.
