Ouachita map turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis)

Short answers

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

200×80 cm aquarium.

Ouachita map turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–27 °C, basking spot 35 °C, at night 18–22 °C.

Ouachita map turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Ouachita map turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 25–35 years.

Ouachita map turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–27 °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 strong current, a basking spot

Feeding

Food

Snails, mussels, insects, fish, a little greenery

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

13–24 cm (females much larger)

Life expectancy

25–35 years

Origin

The Mississippi drainage, USA

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

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

Cohabitation

Singly, or in a group given plenty of space. Two males harass each other and the females; under constant courtship a female visibly loses condition. One male to several females, and plan for a way to separate them.

Notes

A flowing-water species – it needs clean, moving water and basks at length. The females grow markedly larger and eat hard prey (snails).

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Ouachita map turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis) 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
• Mississippi map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica kohni) – 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 Ouachita map turtle (Graptemys ouachitensis) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (200×80 cm aquarium), substrate (Water 40–60 cm deep, sand, a strong current, a 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.