The article discusses map turtles, highlighting their unique features, such as size, body structure, and attractive appearance. It emphasizes the growing popularity of map turtles among turtle owners and advises prospective buyers to gather essential information about the species before acquiring one. The main focus is on the size of map turtles, with females reaching up to 12 inches and males reaching how big do map turtles get approximately half that size, around 6 inches.
The growth rate of map turtles is said to be influenced by factors like species, native area, diet, and genetics. The article assures readers that it will provide comprehensive information on the size of different map turtle species, their growth rates, and the factors affecting their growth.
Size Of Different Map Turtle Species
| Species of map turtle | Size of the species – Female | Size of the species- Male |
|---|---|---|
| False Map Turtle | 10.5 inches (27 centimeters) | 6 inches (16 centimeters) |
| Cagle’s Map Turtle | 6 to 8 inches (14 to 21 centimeters) | 3.5 to 5 inches (9 to 12.7 centimeters) |
| Black Knobbed Map Turtle | 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 centimeters) | 3 to 4 inches 6.7 to 10 centimeters |
| Ringed Map Turtle | 7 inches (17 centimeters) | 4 inches (10 centimeters) |
| Yellow Blotched Map Turtle | 5 to 7.5 inches (13 to 19 centimeters) | 3.5 to 4.5 inches (9 to 12 centimeters) |
| Alabama Map Turtles | 5.5 to 11.5 inches (14 to 30 centimeters) | 3.5 to 5 inches (9 to 12.7 centimeters) |
| Texas Map Turtle | 5 to 8 inches (12.7 to 20 centimeters) | 2.5 to 4 inches (6.5 to 10 centimeters) |
| Barbour’s Map Turtle | 12.5 inches (31.7 centimeters) | 5.5 inches (14 centimeters) |
| Escambia map turtle | 11 inches (30 centimeters) | 5 inches (12.5 centimeters) |
| Pascagoula Map Turtle | 3.5 to 5 inches (9 to 12.7 centimeters) | 5.5 to 12.5 inches (14 to 30 centimeters) |
| Northern Map turtle | 7.1 to 10.6 inches (18 to 27 centimeters) | 3.9 to 6.3 inches (10 to 16 centimeters) |
| Ouachita Map Turtle | 10 inches (25 centimeters) | 5 inches (12 centimeters) |
| Sabine Map Turtle | 5 to 10.50 inches (12.7 to 27.5 centimeters) | 3.5 to 5.75 inches (9 to 14.5 centimeters) |
| Mississippi Map Turtle | 7 to 10 inches (15 to 25 centimeters) | 3.5 to 5 inches (9 to 13 centimeters) |
Growth Factors Of A Map Turtle
The provided chart illustrates the adult sizes expected for various map turtle species. However, it’s noted that not all map turtles reach their full length due to certain growth factors influencing their development. While numerous factors contribute to growth, how big do mississippi map turtles get? the article promises to delve into the key ones in further detail.
- Genetics
- Nutrition
- Activity period
- Habitat
Genetics
Various species of map turtles exhibit a diverse size range. The actual size or growth might deviate slightly from the expected range due to the specific hereditary traits of each map turtle. If the parent map turtles are larger or smaller than the norm, their offspring may also be larger or shorter than the standard size.
Nutrition
Diet plays a crucial role in a map turtle’s growth. Inadequate or excessive feeding can impact the body length of the turtle. Insufficient food may lead to slower growth, while overfeeding can result in faster growth, causing the map turtle to be larger or shorter than the typical size.
So what are the ideal food items for a map turtle? The food genre can vary from species to species, but all the 14 species of the map turtle is omnivorous, which means they prefer how big do texas map turtles get both meat and plants.
I am adding a list of food that you can add to your map turtle’s diet.
- Shrimp
- Crayfish
- Small crabs
- Snails, clams
- Carrion
- Dead fish
- Insect larvae
- Blackworms
- Bloodworms
- Feeder fish
- Crayfish
- Crickets
- Earthworms
- Dark and leafy vegetables
- Parsley
- Dandelion greens
- Romaine.
Providing a proper diet to the map turtle will be beneficial for its natural growth.
Activity Period
By activity period, we will understand two significant facts.
- Recreational period
- Dormancy period
Engaging in recreational activities is beneficial for a map turtle’s optimal growth rate and size, promoting mental strength and overall health. The article also touches upon the dormancy period, a specific cycle in a how big do baby map turtles get map turtle’s life.
Being cold-blooded, map turtles rely on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. During the cold season, they undergo dormancy, seeking shelter under a lake or log to endure the dormant process for a few months, ensuring their body temperature is regulated in chilly weather.
These two periods affect the growth rate of the map turtles.
Habitat
Most map turtle species are aquatic, residing in bodies of water such as lakes, ponds, or swamps in the wild. While the specific habitat may vary among species, they all share a preference for substantial water areas with hiding spots and sunbasking locations.
When kept in captivity, it is crucial to replicate this environment, providing sufficient space for swimming and exercise. Additionally, an external source of heat and UV rays is essential for the map turtle’s growth to its full length. Failing to meet these basic habitat requirements can adversely affect the size of the pet map turtle.
How Fast Does A Map Turtle Grow?
There is no standard growth rate for a map turtle. Generally, the juvenile map turtles have faster growth, and the rate slows down with the turtle’s age. It has been seen that the growth rate increases after the first hibernation of the map turtle.
Here you can observe the growth of a map turtle hatchling with its age. A study shows that a male map turtle would take 4 to 6 years to reach its full length, and a female map turtle would take more than ten years to attain the length if they are provided healthy food and environment.
How To Know If Your Map Turtle Is Growing Or Not?
The simplest way to monitor a map turtle’s growth is to measure its size regularly, although this may be cumbersome for many owners. Alternatively, a visible sign of growth in map turtles is observed through scute shedding.
The shell of a map turtle is covered with a thin epithelium layer. It produces the hard outer shell or scutes of the map turtle. The turtles shed the layer and grow a new one when they grow.
So if you observe that your map turtle is shedding the thin outer layer, it indicates that the turtle is growing.
What To Do If Your Map Turtle Is Not Growing?
The article addresses concerns among map turtle owners about their turtles not adhering to the expected growth chart. It suggests that such variations might be attributed to genetic factors. Emphasizing the importance of a healthy habitat, balanced diet, and proper care, the article reassures owners that, in the absence of these issues, there is no need for how big do northern map turtles get undue worry.
It acknowledges that genetic factors can influence a map turtle’s growth, and some may exhibit a slower growth rate, advising owners not to be overly anxious and to continue providing the best care for their turtles.
You can take the map turtle to a vet for a proper checkup to make sure that the pet is healthy. The slow growth rate can happen because of how big do northern map turtles get some medical issues too. So I suggest you for consulting a vet if you notice any abnormality in the growth rate.
Factors That Hamper The Healthy Growth Of A Map Turtle
I have discussed the growth factor in the previous section. Lacking any of those can hamper the ideal length of a map turtle. Here are the primary three reasons that can hinder how big do map turtles get a map turtle’s growth.
- Diet
- Environment
- Disease
I have discussed how unhealthy and improper diet and environment can affect the growth of a map turtle. Well, the disease is another significant factor. If you map turtle falls sick, it may not gain its full length at a particular age.
Tips To Ensure A Healthy Growth Rate For The Map Turtles
- Provide a healthy habitat to the map turtles.
- Follow the hygiene codes to raise the map turtles inside an indoor or outdoor habitat.
- Set up the high-quality filter, heating light, and UV light for the map turtles.
- Provide a balanced and healthy diet to the map turtles.
- If you observe any abnormality in the map turtle’s behavior, take it to the vet immediately.
- Give the map turtle proper care and treatment if it falls sick.
Can You Determine The Gender Of A Map Turtle By Its Size?
Map turtles exhibit notable sexual dimorphism, a distinct difference in size between males and females. As seen in the size chart, it’s apparent that male map turtles are consistently half the size of their female counterparts, a characteristic present across all how big do mississippi map turtles get species.
So if you know the species, you can determine the gender of map turtle just by measuring its size.
How To Measure The Size Of A Map Turtle?
The article addresses a common question among newcomers about how to measure the length of a map turtle. It clarifies that the measurement is typically taken using a measuring tape and specifically refers to the length of the plastron, how big do texas map turtles get which is the lower shell of the map turtle.
This information is deemed essential for those unfamiliar with the proper method of measuring a how big do baby map turtles get map turtle’s length.
Conclusion
Well, I have discussed everything you need to know regarding the size of a map turtle. If you are confused about any part, let me know. I hope you have found the article helpful.
