Barbour's Map Turtle (Graptemys barbouri) is a species of turtle in the Emydidae family. It is endemic to the eastern United States.
[edit] Geographic range
It is found in rivers located in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
[edit] Etymology
The specific name or epithet, barbouri, is in honor of American herpetologist Thomas Barbour.[2]
[edit] Ownership
Owning Barbour's Map Turtles is outlawed in Georgia, Michigan, and Alabama. There is a limit of two turtles per person in Florida. Like all map turtles, they are under the protection of the Salmonellosis Four-Inch Regulation disallowing these turtles to be sold if they are under the length of 4 inches (10 cm).
[edit] Appearance
Male Barbour's Map Turtles are on average from 3.5 to 5.5 inches (9 – 14 cm) long. Whereas female Barbour's Map Turtles can be from 6 to 12.5 inches (15 – 32 cm) long. According to Conant, "Females attain really imposing dimensions, and their heads are enormously enlarged".[3] These turtles possess black tipped spines on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th vertebrae. These are very noticeable in males, and resemble a dorsal fin.
Barbour's Map Turtles mainly consume mollusks, insects, and small fish found in rivers.
[edit] Further reading
- Carr, A. and Marchand, L.J. 1942. A new turtle from the Chipola River, Florida. Proc. New England Zool. Club 20: 95-100.
[edit] External links
