Northern Map Turtle

SCIENTIFIC NAME

Graptemys geographica

DESCRIPTION

The Northern Map Turtle’s upper shell has a ridge or keel running down the center and has a serrated rear edge. The shell is adorned with a series of faint lines that resemble the lines on a map. The Northern Map Turtle has an eye spot behind the eye, while the non-native False Map Turtle has a hockey stick shaped “eyebrow.”

RANGE

Southern Ontario and southern Québec

HABITAT

Northern Map Turtles live in lakes and large rivers with slow moving currents. Females usually nest fairly close to shore in open areas in sand, soil, or gravel. In winter, Northern Map Turtles hibernate under water, often in areas of flowing water.

DIET

BEHAVIOUR

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Notes

The non-native False Map Turtle looks similar to the Northern Map Turtle and is showing up in various urban areas in southern BC, Ontario and Quebec. The biggest difference between the two species is the hockey stick shaped “eyebrow” of the False Map Turtle.