Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra)

Short answers

Alabama map turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

200×80 cm aquarium.

Alabama map turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 35 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Alabama map turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Alabama map turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 30–50 years; in the wild, females can live even longer.

Alabama map turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

35 °C

Humidity

Aquatic

UVB

Essential (UVB 10.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

200×80 cm aquarium

Substrate

Water 40–60 cm deep, sand, a current, a large basking spot

Feeding

Food

Snails, mussels, insects, fish, a little greenery

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

males 9–13 cm, females 18–29 cm carapace length

Life expectancy

30–50 years; in the wild, females can live even longer

Origin

The Alabama river system, USA

Protection status

Protected: CITES Appendix II, EU Annex B - proof of origin required at purchase and resale.

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks at 6–10 °C

Cohabitation

Single housing, or a group if the tank is large enough. Males and females should not live together permanently: an adult female is more than twice as long as a male, and his constant courtship visibly wears her down — she eats less and never settles. Two males also harass each other. Keeping them separately and bringing them together specifically for mating has proven successful; a way to separate them belongs in the plan in any case.

Notes

The females develop a broad head for cracking snails and mussels and grow more than twice as large as the males. It needs clean, moving water and an ample basking spot.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri) – Intermediate
• False map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica) – Intermediate
• Yellow-blotched map turtle (Graptemys flavimaculata) – Intermediate
• Northern map turtle (Graptemys geographica) – Intermediate
• Mississippi map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni) – Intermediate
• Ouachita map turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis) – Intermediate
• Black-knobbed map turtle (Graptemys nigrinoda) – Intermediate
• Cumberland slider (Trachemys scripta troostii) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (200×80 cm aquarium), substrate (Water 40–60 cm deep, sand, a current, a large basking spot), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.