Barbour’s Map Turtle

1 Overview

Barbour’s Map Turtle is relatively rare, a turtle species whose appearance resembles the painted turtle. It is widely distributed across various habitats from Florida to Texas, and although broadly distributed, captive numbers are small; among map turtles, the Mississippi map turtle is kept the most.

Chinese name: Barbour’s Map Turtle

English name: Barbour’s map turtle

Latin name: Graptemys barbouri

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Testudines

Family: Emydidae

Genus: Graptemys

Species: Barbour’s Map Turtle

Range: Widely distributed across habitats from Florida to Texas, north to the Dakotas and Quebec.

Physical features: Carapace olive to dark brown, with black spines on the keel of juveniles and males; costal and marginal scutes bear yellow oval markings. Plastron is cream or slightly greenish-yellow, with black seams at the scute edges and spines on the pectoral and abdominal scutes.

Habitat: Lives in streams with moderate to fast currents and sandy or clay bottoms.

Diet: Omnivorous; in captivity known to eat fish, crustaceans and mollusks, chicken, liver, certain lettuces, insects, and other items.

Reproduction: Females typically lay several clutches per breeding season, averaging 4 to 16 eggs per clutch depending on the species, requiring 60 to 75 days of incubation.

2 Physical Characteristics

Barbour’s Map Turtle is not especially good-looking among map turtles, nor particularly large, and is not very common on the market, so it is often overlooked. What are the appearance features of this unremarkable turtle, and how do we identify it?

I. Appearance features of Barbour’s Map Turtle

The carapace is olive to dark brown, with black spines on the keel of juveniles and males; the costal and marginal scutes bear yellow oval markings. The plastron is cream or slightly greenish-yellow, with black seams at the scute edges and spines on the pectoral and abdominal scutes. Behind the eyes are yellow or yellow-green blotches, and the tip of the snout is flecked with yellow or yellow-green. The chin bears curved or transverse pale short stripes. Adult females develop a very large head.

II. Sexing Barbour’s Map Turtle

Males have a thicker and longer tail than females, and the cloaca is positioned beyond the rear edge of the carapace. The front feet of males bear elongated claws. Adult size can also be a clue: for most adults, the smallest female equals or exceeds the largest male.

3 Care Guidelines

Many people keep Barbour’s Map Turtle, but usually no one manages to grow them very large, and few attempt breeding. For Barbour’s Map Turtle this is dangerous, because the wild resource will be depleted.

I. Choosing a setup for Barbour’s Map Turtle

Usually the size and number of turtles determine the enclosure. If keeping larger females or several turtles, a large tub or stock tank may be best, as they come in many sizes and shapes. In most regions map turtles can be kept outdoors, provided there is proper protection against escape and adequate preparation for overwintering.

II. Breeding Barbour’s Map Turtle

Captive breeding of Barbour’s Map Turtle should be encouraged. It is graceful in form with a limited wild distribution, and it is surprising that only a few individuals work with them. As a group, map turtles’ size and nervous temperament create problems, but this is not enough to deter reptile enthusiasts. More captive-bred animals should reduce depletion of wild populations, which can ill afford even small losses.

4 Behavior & Habitat

Barbour’s Map Turtle is not very strict about its environment, but as an owner do not neglect details out of inconvenience. Some feel map turtles are cheap, so spending a lot on the setup is not worth it, but this only leads to illness and even death.

Most buyers choose 3 to 4 cm hatchlings, simply because they are smallest and cutest. But in fact Barbour’s Map Turtle hatchlings are sensitive to water quality and temperature. It is understandable: nobody wants to spend 50 on a heater for a turtle that cost 5, or another 150 on a filtration system. Some say Barbour’s Map Turtle is easy and needs no fuss. A rough method may not affect some individuals, but most die young from colds, saprolegnia, and eye infections. To reduce risk, start with individuals of 5 to 6 cm carapace length. They are still charmingly juvenile but much hardier than newborns, though the necessary equipment is still indispensable.

Once the size is decided, choose the equipment. The range is broad; a 40 cm long rectangular or square glass tank is recommended, avoiding round basins or bowls, which are hard to fit with filtration.

Treat the water seriously: first dechlorinate tap water by sunlight, usually a day of sun is enough. They grow well between 20 and 32 degrees, and temperature strongly affects activity and feeding; 26 degrees is recommended. In winter use a heater. Change two-thirds of the water every week or ten days; do not wait for it to deteriorate before a full change. Hatchlings are not recommended to hibernate; keep them heated.

5 Feeding Requirements

Feeding Barbour’s Map Turtle is simple. Compared with setting up the environment, food choice is much easier. General aquatic-turtle foods work, and Barbour’s Map Turtle is omnivorous, accepting almost anything.

Barbour’s Map Turtle is omnivorous, leaning toward animal-based food. At home, feed mainly mealworms, small fish, and loaches, supplemented with fruit and leafy greens. Commercial aquatic-turtle pellets are accepted, but avoid the very cheap ones. Hatchlings can be fed once a day; larger or adult turtles every 3 or 4 days. Be regular and feed on a schedule; do not toss in a few fish when you remember and then skip a week, which easily causes indigestion.

Generally, temperature changes and unclean food or water are the biggest disease risks, so pay attention when keeping them. Often the equipment costs several times the turtle itself, but having chosen it as a pet you are responsible for it. From the moment you bring it home, this little life is in your hands. May your “masked” ones grow up healthy.