Escambia Map Turtle

Range

Limited range in the Florida panhandle and south central Alabama.

Habitats

Lives in and around waterways that drain into the Escambia Bay. Often seen basking on rocks and floating logs. Prefers streams with sandy or gravely bottoms.

Identification

An aquatic turtle with webbed feet that has distinctive patterning on its face. Males only grow to 4-5 inches and are considerably smaller than females which reach 9-11 inches in length. Females' heads also grow proportionately larger with age. Both sexes have 3 light patches on the face; 2 larger patches on the temples, and 1 smaller patch between the eyes. Their neck and legs are covered with closely adjacent pairs of dark stripes on a light background. Their central carapace scutes have prominent keels that are pointed on juveniles and become duller with age. The perimeter scutes on the edge of the carapace are smooth at the front of the shell, mildly serrated at the back of the shell, and have more patterning than the central scutes. Their plastron is yellow and unmarked.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians