False Map Turtle

This is a false map turtle, also called a Mississippi map turtle or a sawback turtle.  A false map turtle is a kind of map turtle.  This is confusing, because it is called “false.”  But I guess it is called a false map turtle because it is not the same species as the common map turtle, even though they look similar.  It is called a map turtle because some people think that the lines on his body look like a map, but I don’t think they look like a map.  It is part of the pond and box turtle family.

False map turtles are native to Wisconsin.  They live over by the Mississippi River and the Wisconsin River.  They live 20-25 years.  It spends the winter underwater and comes out in April. False map turtles have a “special concern” status.  This means that they are not endangered yet, but scientists are concerned about them because their numbers are falling.

It eats insects, fish, snails, and aquatic plants.  Do you think this turtle is thinking about eating the goldfish?  If you have any ideas, leave them in the comments.