Mississippi map turtle


The Mississippi map turtle 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 the carapace which resemble the contour lines of a map. Species of map turtles occur in the Mississippi Valley from Illinois and Nebraska, southward into the Gulf States from Mississippi to Texas, usually in rivers, lakes and large streams. They tend to prefer habitat with abundant vegetation.

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 of New Orleans, Louisiana, who collected the type specimen.

Geographic range

Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni is found along the Mississippi River and its tributaries, from Illinois and Missouri southward. Also one reported to be found in South Lyon, MI

Description

Females of G. p. kohni are considerably larger than males, the adult male being 3.5 to 5 inches in straight carapace length, and the adult female from 6 to 10 inches in straight carapace length. Males have a leaner look, more like juveniles, but females have a larger, bulkier build. Their grey shells are covered in yellow lines resembling contour lines.

Captivity

The Mississippi map turtle is a popular pet for aquarists and is very enjoyable to watch.