Mississippi map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni)

Short answers

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

An aqua-terrarium from ~150×75×60 cm for one adult female (water at least twice the shell length); males from ~100×50 cm.

Mississippi map turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime water 22–28 °C (spring/autumn 20–23, midsummer 27–28), basking spot 35–42 °C (dry basking spot), at night 18–22 °C (air above the water).

Mississippi map turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4); an HQI / UV metal-halide lamp is recommended.

Mississippi map turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: up to ~60 years.

Mississippi map turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

water 22–28 °C (spring/autumn 20–23, midsummer 27–28)

Night temperature

18–22 °C (air above the water)

Basking spot

35–42 °C (dry basking spot)

Humidity

Not critical (aquatic); the basking spot must stay dry

UVB

UVB needed (Ferguson zone 2–3, UV index 2–4); an HQI / UV metal-halide lamp is recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

an aqua-terrarium from ~150×75×60 cm for one adult female (water at least twice the shell length); males from ~100×50 cm

Substrate

Fine sand or rounded gravel; alternatively bare-bottomed for hygiene; roots and vines to hold on to; an egg-laying site for the females

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous; juveniles mostly animal food (water snails, insects, freshwater shrimp, mosquito larvae, small fish), adults increasingly plant-eating (water plants, lettuce, dandelion) plus pellets and a cuttlebone

Feeding interval

juveniles daily; adults animal food 2–3×/week, plant food always available

Key facts

Adult size

females up to 27 cm, males 9–15 cm (a strong sexual dimorphism)

Life expectancy

up to ~60 years

Origin

The Mississippi valley, the south-central USA

Protection status

CITES Appendix III (since 2006) = EU Annex C. Freely tradable within the EU, no registration duty; export and origin documents are needed for import

Brumation

A winter rest or brumation of about 3 months at 4–7 °C (a northern species); juveniles only overwinter from about three years old

Cohabitation

Keep singly. The animals are shy and easily stressed, so a single animal is the least stressful option. Map turtles are however basically sociable baskers; a small group is possible with a large tank, but the more dominant females should only be kept in limited numbers.

Notes

A very good swimmer; it needs plenty of swimming space and places to rest (roots). Sensitive to water quality – strong filtration. A commonly kept map turtle; large females need a large tank (a source of egg binding – provide a laying site).

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Mississippi map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra) – Intermediate
• 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
• 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 Mississippi map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (an aqua-terrarium from ~150×75×60 cm for one adult female (water at least twice the shell length); males from ~100×50 cm), substrate (Fine sand or rounded gravel; alternatively bare-bottomed for hygiene; roots and vines to hold on to; an egg-laying site for the females), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.