Northern Map Turtle Graptemys geographica

Adult from Wayne County

Identification

Named for their appearance, Northern Map Turtles possess a pattern on their carapace that resembles an intricate map of waterways. The pattern consists of yellowish or orange-ish lines with dark boarders. While the pattern is generally very prominent, it may be dark and faded on adults. The upper surface of the carapace also features low, rolling vertebral keels. In juveniles the keels are more prominent. The head, neck and limbs are dark olive, brown or black in coloration and are highlighted with thin yellow, green or orange-ish stripes. Behind the eye there is often a small oval or triangular light spot. Adult female Northern Map Turtles are larger than males and have a broader head. Males, in contrast, possess longer tails.

Juvenile from Boone County
Plastron of adult from Wayne County

Ecology and Conservation

Optimum habitat for the Northern Map Turtle includes large creeks with slow to moderate currents, complete with pools and riffles, a soft to gravel bottom, and aquatic vegetation. Northern Map Turtles are also found in lakes, rivers, reservoirs, sloughs, marshes and bays. Feeding only occurs while they are in the water, but they are often observed basking in large groups on logs.

Whitewater River from Franklin County
Whitewater River from Wayne County

Population declines have occurred as a result of the pollution of waterways and also from damage or destruction to suitable nesting sites. In lakes, Northern Map Turtles can be injured or killed by boat propellers, and fish hooks. Unfortunately, turtles are also sometimes used as targets for firearms whilst basking.

Distribution

Northern Map Turtles are distributed across much of the Midwest from the northern portion of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, east to northwestern Vermont through southern Ontario, west to central Minnesota and south to southern Arkansas and southwestern Georgia. Isolated populations also survive in Pennsylvania, northwest New Jersey, and southern New York. In the Midwest, the species survives in all eight states.

Taxonomy

There are no recognized subspecies of the Northern Map Turtle. These turtles belong to the family Emydidae, which is represented in Indiana by a total of ten species.

Literature Cited

Conant, R. and J. T . Collins. 1998. Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America. Third Edition, Expanded. Houghton Mifflin, New York, NY.

Ernst, C. H. and J. E. Lovich. 2009. Turtles of the United States and Canada. Second Edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD.

Linderman, P. V. 2010. Graptemys geographica. Common Map Turtle. Geographic distribution. Herpetological Review 41:105.

Minton, S. A. Jr. 2001. Amphibians and Reptiles of Indiana. Indiana Academy of Science, Indianapolis, IN.

Pierson, T. 2012. Graptemys geographica. Northern Map Turtle. Geographic distribution. Herpetological Review 43:303.

Distribution Map
Distribution of the Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)

Maps may include both verified and unverified observations. Record verification occurs periodically as time allows.

Photographs