Yellow-blotched map turtle (Graptemys flavimaculata)

Short answers

Yellow-blotched map turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×60 cm aquarium.

Yellow-blotched map turtle: What temperature does it need?

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

Yellow-blotched map turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 10.0).

Yellow-blotched map turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 25–35 years.

Yellow-blotched 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

150×60 cm aquarium

Substrate

Water 35–50 cm deep, sand, a current, a basking spot

Feeding

Food

Insects, snails, fish, a little greenery

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

9–18 cm

Life expectancy

25–35 years

Origin

The Pascagoula river system, Mississippi (USA)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; protected in the USA (Threatened) – captive-bred animals only

Brumation

A winter rest of 10–14 weeks

Cohabitation

Solitary or pair. Two males harass each other and the females; during prolonged courtship a female visibly loses weight. So a pair only works if you can remove the male as soon as it harasses the female — a second tank belongs in the planning. Anyone with more space keeps one male with several females, so the courtship is spread out.

Notes

Striking yellow spots on a dark shell, with a very small natural range. Decidedly hungry for sun and shy – the basking spot should not be visible from the edge of the enclosure.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Yellow-blotched map turtle (Graptemys flavimaculata) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Alabama map turtle (Graptemys pulchra) – Intermediate
• Barbour's map turtle (Graptemys barbouri) – Intermediate
• False map turtle (Graptemys pseudogeographica) – 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 Yellow-blotched map turtle (Graptemys flavimaculata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×60 cm aquarium), substrate (Water 35–50 cm deep, sand, a 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.