How difficult is it to keep Mississippi Map Turtle?

Beginner. This is a beginner-friendly species. No special equipment or experience is required, and it can be kept successfully with basic care setup.

What is the lifespan of Mississippi Map Turtle?

The average lifespan of Mississippi Map Turtle is Maximum recorded longevity in captivity is 35 years. With proper care and nutrition, they can live a long and healthy life.

How large does Mississippi Map Turtle get?

Mississippi Map Turtle typically reaches Carapace up to 25cm, with females larger than males as an adult. Size may vary depending on care conditions and individual genetics.

What is the typical price for Mississippi Map Turtle?

The price of Mississippi Map Turtle varies significantly depending on morph, size, and lineage. Check our market price page for the latest pricing information.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Mississippi Map Turtle

Q: What should I feed Mississippi Map Turtle?

Mississippi Map Turtle feeds on: Aquatic turtle pellets, fish, insects, crustaceans, snails and aquatic plants. Aim for a balanced diet with appropriate feeding frequency.

Beginner

Graptemys pseudogeographica

A map turtle named for the fine light lines on its carapace, which resemble contour lines on a map. It lives in the Mississippi drainage and is told from its congeners by a white or grey iris without a dark bar. The carapace reaches 25 cm.

Difficulty

Beginner

Lifespan

Maximum recorded longevity in captivity is 35 years

Size

Carapace up to 25cm, with females larger than males

Humidity

40〜70%

Diet

Aquatic turtle pellets, fish, insects, crustaceans, snails and aquatic plants

About

The Mississippi map turtle is an emydid of the genus Graptemys; the name in the trade refers to the subspecies Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii. The carapace reaches 25 cm, females being larger, and the rear marginal scutes are serrated. Fine white to cream lines mark the head, with a blotch running from behind the eye downwards, and the iris is white or grey - alone in the genus, this subspecies has no dark bar across the iris. Juveniles have spine-like projections on the vertebral scutes that smooth out with age. Unusually for a map turtle it also lives in still water; it is strongly aquatic but climbs onto logs and rocks to bask for long periods, sliding into the water when startled. Omnivorous with a carnivorous bias, it eats a greater proportion of molluscs where no congener specialises in them.

Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Lifespan of the Mississippi Map Turtle

The Mississippi Map Turtle lives Maximum recorded longevity in captivity is 35 years.

Size of the Mississippi Map Turtle

The Mississippi Map Turtle grows to Carapace up to 25cm, with females larger than males.

Basic Info

Origin

The lower Mississippi drainage of the United States, mainly in large rivers and in lakes near them

Lifespan

Maximum recorded longevity in captivity is 35 years

Size

Carapace up to 25cm, with females larger than males

Care Specifications

PeacefulGroupBreeding: Moderate

Sources: Reptiles Magazine: Map Turtle Care and Information / Wikipedia (Japanese): Mississippi map turtle / Wikipedia (English): False map turtle / Reptile Database / AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database

References & Sources

Edited & verified by: BreederDirect editorial team

The taxonomic, regulatory, and husbandry data on this page are compiled and verified against the authoritative primary sources below.

Primary sources

Taxonomy & Authority

Accepted name: Graptemys pseudogeographica (Gray, 1831)

Synonyms: Emys pseudogeographica Gray, 1831, Graptemys kohnii (Baur, 1890), Malaclemys pseudogeographica (McDowell, 1964)

Authority databases: Reptile Database

Nomenclature follows global taxonomic authority databases.

Regulations & Conservation Status

CITES Appendix IIIIUCN LC · Least Concern

Graptemys spp. was listed in CITES Appendix III by the United States, effective 14 June 2006 (Listing country: United States). As an Appendix III species, special international registration is not required. It is not designated as a Special Animal under the Animal Welfare and Management Act nor as a Designated Invasive Species.

Sources: CITES Appendices / Ministry of the Environment: list of invasive alien species / Order for Enforcement of the Act on Welfare and Management of Animals (designated dangerous animals)

Regulations may change. Always verify the latest information with the relevant authorities.