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Ringed map turtle facts for kids

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Ringed map turtle
Ringed sawback turtle - Graptemys oculifera.jpg
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Genus:
Graptemys
Species:
oculifera
Graptemys oculifera map.png
Range map
Synonyms
  • Malacoclemmys oculifera Baur, 1890
  • Graptemys oculifera — Baur, 1893
  • Malaclemys lesueurii oculifera
    — Siebenrock, 1909
  • Graptemys pseudogeographica oculifera — Stejneger & Barbour, 1917
  • Graptemys oculifera oculifera
    — Mertens & Wermuth, 1955
  • Malaclemys oculifera
    — McDowell, 1964
  • Malaclemys oculifer
    Cochran & Goin, 1970
  • Graptemys ocalifera Nutaphand, 1979 (ex errore)
  • Graptemys oculifera
    — H.M. Smith & Brodie, 1982

The ringed map turtle (Graptemys oculifera), also called the ringed sawback, is a type of turtle. It belongs to the Emydidae family, which includes many freshwater turtles. This turtle is special because it is endemic to the southern United States. This means it is found naturally only in this part of the world.

Where Ringed Map Turtles Live

These turtles mainly live in the Pearl River system. This river flows through both Louisiana and Mississippi. They often share their home with another similar turtle, the Pearl River map turtle (G. pearlensis).

Ringed sawback turtle - Graptemys oculifera
A ringed map turtle resting on a log.

What Ringed Map Turtles Look Like

Ringed map turtles have a unique look. Their shell, called a carapace, has light-colored rings. These rings are thicker than those found on a similar turtle, the Black-knobbed map turtle (Graptemys nigrinoda).

  • Males are smaller than females. They can grow to about 10 centimeters (4 inches) long.
  • Females are much larger. They can reach a carapace length of about 22 centimeters (8.5 inches).
Graptemys oculifera map
Map showing where the ringed map turtle lives.
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