Identification
Also known as a “sawback” turtle, this species’ carapace features
a row of low spines, and is serrated on the rim. The carapace is olive to brown
in coloration with light yellowish markings with dark borders. The plastron
color varies from cream to yellow and is patterned with dark lines along the
seams in juveniles. The body color of the False Map Turtle is grayish brown
to blackish and is marked with light brown, yellow, or whitish stripes. The
eye can be light yellow, white or green and is crossed with a dark bar. Narrow
hooked marks behind the eye fuse with dorsal lines on the head and neck. There
are also small light colored spots below the eye and on the chin.
Distribution and Status
The False Map Turtle lives in large streams of the Missouri and Mississippi
river systems; ranging from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, through
the Dakotas southward to southwestern Alabama, south and west Mississippi, through
Louisiana and eastern Texas. In the Midwest, the False Map Turtle is a species
of Special Interest in Ohio, and is absent from Michigan. (US
distribution map; Midwest
distribution map).
Ecology
The False Map Turtle is a strong swimmer and prefers rivers and large creeks
with moderate currents, containing aquatic vegetation, as well as snags or floating
logs. They are also comfortable in deep and swift water. The turtles are present
in oxbow lakes and sloughs, but are absent from lakes, ponds, or small streams.
Basking is an important to the sawbacks, and they may even be found on steep,
slippery snags.
Threats and Management Issues
A variety of threats face this species, including the destruction of nests by
animals and insects, falling victim to gill nets, as well as being shot. False
Map Turtles, much like Red-eared Sliders, have also been collected for the pet
trade.
Resources
Ernst. C. H., J. E. Lovich and R. W. Barbour. 1994. Turtles of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, USA.
General reference guides and websites.
Links to more information on the False Map Turtle outside the Herp Center
Reptiles and Amphibians of Minnesota
Illinois Natural History Survey
Bruce Kingsbury, Director
Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management
Science Building
Indiana-Purdue University
2101 East Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499