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.
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Do you know if he is a normal false map turtle or the Mississippi map sub species of the false map turtle? I am wondering since he looks just like my map turtle and I’m not sure if mine is a Mississippi or normal
Nevermind this is clearly a normal false map turtle since the markings behind the eye dont extend under the eye. It also has a bar on the eye which is uncommon in Mississippi maps but found in all false maps. And yes this turtle is 100 percent thinking about eating fish he is just sitting thinking “yum yum fish I like trout, and sunfish, and carp, and catfish”
Thanks! I had no idea about the Mississippi sub-species. Your comment was funny.