Escambia map turtle

The Escambia map turtle (Graptemys ernsti), also known commonly as Ernst's map turtle, is a species of turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is endemic to the United States.

Escambia map turtle
Graptemys ernsti
Conservation status
Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
CITES Appendix II (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Superfamily:	Testudinoidea
Family:	Emydidae
Genus:	Graptemys
Species:	G. ernsti
Binomial name
Graptemys ernsti Lovich & McCoy, 1992
Range map
Synonyms[3]
Graptemys ernsti Lovich & McCoy, 1992 Graptemys emstii Ferri, 2002 (ex errore) Graptemys pulchra ernsti — Artner, 2003

Geographic range

G. ernsti is found in southern Alabama and western Florida, in rivers which drain into Escambia Bay.^[3]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of G. ernsti is flowing fresh water, in medium to large creeks and rivers.^[1]

Etymology

The specific name, ernsti, is in honor of American herpetologist Dr. Carl Henry Ernst.^[4][5]

Description

Females of G. ernsti are larger than males. Females may attain a straight carapace length of 28.5 cm (11.2 in), but males only grow to a straight carapace length of 13 cm (5.1 in).^[1]

Diet

The diet of G. ernsti varies according to age and gender. Males and juveniles prey predominately upon insects, but females prey almost entirely upon snails and clams, including the invasive species Corbicula fluminea.^[1]

Reproduction

Males of G. ernsti reach sexual maturity at an age of 3–4 years, but females don't reach sexual maturity until an age of 14–19 years. Each sexually mature female lays an average of 4 clutches a year, with an average clutch size of 7 eggs.^[1]