The Northern Map Turtle
The map turtle is more similar to the slider turtle and the Painted turtles have similar body shapes. However, unlike these turtles, the map turtle has a distinct ridge in the center of its carapace. In many breeds, this ridge is more like a large spur or knob extending upward and backward.
This characteristic gives the map turtle another common name: Sawback turtle. The marginal shield at the rear of the carapace of most map turtles also extends backward, making the rear edge of the carapace appear sharply jagged. Some species have large heads and jaws that allow them to crush snails and other molluscs. Finally, the most eye-catching features are the characteristic thin lines on their skin and scutes, which is where the name "map turtle" comes from, because they are visible like contour lines and road traffic on a map. picture. These graceful web-like patterns give the map turtle a beauty and elegance that is unmatched by other turtles.
In the genus Turtle, it is relatively easy to distinguish between males and females. Like most other turtles, male turtles have a thicker and longer tail than female turtles, and their cloaca is located beyond the rear edge of the carapace. Male turtles have elongated claws on their front feet. Adult body size may also be a distinguishing characteristic. For most adult turtles, the smallest female turtle is equal to or even larger than the largest male turtle.
For the northern map turtle, the most special thing is the crimson color behind the ears, and the ridge is not particularly obvious, and the color is lighter .
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