The Ouachita map turtle (''Graptemys ouachitensis'') is a species of turtle belonging to the family

Emydidae Emydidae (Latin ''emys'' (freshwater tortoise) + Ancient Greek εἶδος (''eîdos'', “appearance, resemblance”)) is a family of testudines (turtles) that includes close to 50 species in 10 genera. Members of this family are commonly calle ...

Subspecies

Subspecies In biological classification, subspecies is a rank below species, used for populations that live in different areas and vary in size, shape, or other physical characteristics (morphology), but that can successfully interbreed. Not all species ...

include: * ''Graptemys ouachitensis ouachitensis'' Cagle, 1953 * ''Graptemys ouachitensis sabinensis'' Cagle, 1953 In recent years the Sabine map turtle (''Graptemys ouachitensis sabinensis'') has been recognized by many as a full species Sabine map turtle (''Graptemys sabinensis'').

Distribution

This species is endemic to the United States. It can be found in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Tennessee and Kentucky. ''G. o. sabinensis'' exists only in the Sabine River of Louisiana and Texas. Both ''G. o. ouachitensis'' and ''G. o. sabinensis'' are freshwater riverine turtles. The ''G. o. ouachitensis'' is rarely seen on land unless it is nesting season or it is basking.

Description

This species'

carapace A carapace is a Dorsum (biology), dorsal (upper) section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods, such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates, such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tor ...

features a row of low vertebral spines, and is serrated on the posterior rim. The carapace is olive, dark brown, or black in coloration with light yellowish markings with dark borders. The plastron color varies from cream to yellow and is patterned with dark lines and swirls. The body color is grayish brown to blackish and is marked with yellowish stripes. On the head, it has light yellow spots: a rectangular one behind each eye, an oval under each eye, and a round one on each side of the jaw. In some specimens, the spot behind and the spot under the eye can combine to form a single thick "C" stain. The eye has a black stripe in the middle. Males are significantly smaller than females. The males can grow to be as large as 5 in (12 cm) in carapace length. The females can grow to be up to 10 in (25 cm) in carapace length.

Natural History

Hatchlings of this species have recently been found to make sounds prior to exiting the nest. These are mostly "clicking" noises, but more tonal "mewing" sounds are also sometimes present. These sounds are the first documented for any North American hatchling turtle. (Geller, G.A. and G.S. Casper. 2019. Late-term embryos and hatchlings of Ouachita Map Turtles (''Graptemys ouachitensis'') make sounds within the nest. Herpetological Review 50:449-452)

Diet

Ouachita map turtles feed mainly on small aquatic animals such as

shrimp Shrimp are crustaceans (a form of shellfish) with elongated bodies and a primarily swimming mode of locomotion – most commonly Caridea and Dendrobranchiata of the decapod order, although some crustaceans outside of this order are refer ...

, insects, molluscs, and fish. They also consume

algae Algae (; singular alga ) is an informal term for a large and diverse group of photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms. It is a polyphyletic grouping that includes species from multiple distinct clades. Included organisms range from unicellular mic ...

and

aquatic plants Aquatic plants are plants that have adapted to living in aquatic environments (saltwater or freshwater). They are also referred to as hydrophytes or macrophytes to distinguish them from algae and other microphytes. A macrophyte is a plant that ...

Pet trade

As they are small, Ouachita map turtles are common among turtle keepers. They can be kept with most other species and can be raised on specialty pellets and dried shrimp. Although they need heat and ultraviolet light ( UVB),

Gallery

File:Emydidae - Graptemys ouachitensis.jpg, Juvenile ''Graptemys ouachitensis''. Close-up File:Ouachita Map Turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis) (40582536730).jpg, A specimen from Missouri File:Graptemys ouachitensis map.png, Range map of the Ouachita map turtle File:Sabine Map Turtle (Graptemys sabinensis) Orange Co. Texas. photo W. L. Farr.jpg, Sabine map turtle (''Graptemys sabinensis'') Orange Co. Texas.