Map turtles are so named because of the map-like pattern on their shells. The other name they are known by is Sawback Turtles. This name also comes from their appearance.Map Turtles have a noticeable ridge that runs down the center of their shells. It is sometimes enhanced by knobs or spikes at intervals. They do not usually make good pets because they are very shy. They are also difficult to find in their natural habitats because they usually jump into the water at the first sign of someone or something approaching.
If you do happen to catch one basking in the sun, note that it is probably on a rock or log that is almost completely surrounded by water. By doing so, they always have the option of a quick getaway. Once in the water, they are very strong swimmers and can rapidly swim away.
The fourteen different species of Map Turtles are generally designated with the name of the state to which they are native. The Eastern United States and Southern Canada is where they make their homes.
As water turtles, they can be found near bodies of water in this region. In winter, they hibernate at the bottom of whichever body of water they live in. They are not Sea Turtles, so they prefer fresh water to salt water.
Some of the more common habitats for Map Turtles are rivers, ponds, river-bottom swamps, slow-moving rivers and rapidly flowing streams. The bottoms of these bodies of water may consist of mud, sand, clay, limestone or gravel. When the temperature drops, they dig in and wait for spring, existing on very little oxygen and no food.
Like all species of turtles, Map Turtles bury their eggs on land.
They may also hunt on land for food. The babies eat a diet that consists of meat. Adult Map Turtles usually adapt their diet according to their species and sex. Males can be more herbivorous while females lean more toward being carnivorous. Of course, if vegetation is available in larger quantities or vice versa, the turtles adjust their meals accordingly.
Besides their locations, you can tell what species a Map Turtle is by the design on the shell. Each species has its own pattern that sets it apart from the other 13 species of Map Turtles. Even though keeping them as pets is a bad idea, you can still get a lot of enjoyment out of studying observing them in their natural habitats. That is, of course, if you are lucky enough to spot any Map Turtles when you go looking.
Map Turtles are a unique type of aquatic turtle. They live in the Eastern half of the United States and stretch up into Southern Canada.
Map turtles get their name from the map-like patterns made by the sections on their top shells. There is a prominent ridge that runs from head to tail across their shell and earned them the second name of Sawback Turtles. This ridge may have large protrusions that look like knobs or spikes.
There are fourteen known species of Map Turtles. Many of them are named for the state that they are associated with.
Map Turtles live in various types of freshwater based on their species. Some of the preferred habitats are rivers, ponds, river-bottom swamps, slow-moving rivers, rapidly flowing streams with sandy or clay bottoms and other types of limestone, gravel and mud-bottomed bodies of water.
The bottom of the bodies of water is important because that is where some turtles will hibernate during the winter. They like to burrow into the mud, sand, clay, limestone or gravel and wait out the winter. Like other cold-blooded reptiles, their metabolism slows down as the temperature cools. This enables them to enter a state of hibernation in which they do not really move or eat.
Map turtles tend to be omnivorous as adults. However, this can vary depending on the species and sex of the turtle.
Habitat also plays a role in what a Map Turtle will eat and rightly so. If their natural habitat does not provide much in the way of meat or perhaps vegetation, the turtle will naturally gravitate toward whichever type of food is more readily available.
Map Turtles are not commonly kept as pets due in part to their shy nature. It is rare to spot one in nature as they tend to quickly submerge themselves in water if they hear someone or something coming. For this reason, they also tend to bask on logs or rocks that are mostly surrounded by water. This allows them to escape more quickly into the water.
The unique design of the Map Turtles’ shells makes them a very interesting group of species. The design varies even more when you research the differences between each of the 14 species. If you live in the Eastern United States or Southern Canada, you may want to find out what species of Map Turtles are native to your area and then visit a national park to see if you can spot any.