Loading profile. Please wait . . .
Graptemys pulchra Baur, 1893
Alabama Map Turtle
Federal Protection: Similarity of Appearance (Threatened)
State Protection: Rare
Global Rank: G3G4
State Rank: S3
Element Locations Tracked in Biotics: Yes
SWAP 2015 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes
SWAP 2025 Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN): Yes
2025 SGCN Priority Tier: Moderate Conservation Concern
Element Occurrences (EOs) in Georgia: 8
Habitat Summary for element in Georgia: Rivers and large streams
Like other species of map turtles, the Alabama map turtle exhibits strong sexual dimorphism in both total size and head size. While males reach a carapace length of only 5 inches (13 cm), females may attain a carapace length of up to 11 inches (27.5 cm). In addition, females have an enormously enlarged head compared males and relative to most other map turtle species as well. The medially-keeled carapace has a series of laterally compressed spines which are especially pronounced posteriorly. A narrow dark stripe extends along the length of the keel, though it may be interrupted. The majority of the carapace is olive-colored with faint yellow reticulations. Relatively conspicuous concentric yellow markings are found on the dorsal surface of the marginal scutes. The pale-yellow plastron has dark markings along the seams, and the ventral surface of the marginals is patterned with a set of concentric dark rings. The skin is dark brown or olive and has many light-green or yellow stripes. A large yellow or light-green patch or "mask" is present on the head, between and behind the eyes.
The Alabama map turtle is a member of the so-named "broad-headed" (megacephalic) map turtles which include a total of five distinct species that are largely endemic to particular river basins draining into the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to Louisiana, seldom co-occurring with sister species of the complex. Barbour's map turtle found in Apalachicola River drainage of southwest Georgia is the only other megacephalic native to Georgia. Graptemys pulchra is thought to have differentiated from other megacephalic map turtles 0.6 - 1.25 million years ago – evolutionary speciation resulting from the isolation of river drainages during sea level regression during the Pleistocene. In Georgia, the common map turtle (Graptemys geographica) co-occurs within the Coosa River drainage with the Alabama map turtle, but the latter can be distinguished by their prominent spiny keel on the carapace (except old adult females) and the large yellow or light-green blotch present on the head between and behind the eyes; distinctive markings on the head are specific to each map turtle species and are a frequent means used in species identification.
This species prefers large streams or rivers with swiftly flowing water and an abundance of basking sites in the form of fallen trees or snags.
The diet consists primarily of snails and bivalves; aquatic insects are also consumed by males and immature females. Megacephaly in adult females make them particularly suited to a diet of consisting largely of freshwater mussels.
Relatively little is known about the life history of this species as compared to other species of southeastern map turtles. Females, which reach sexual maturity at about 14 years of age, begin nesting in late April and may continue into August. An average of 4-6 eggs are laid in nests dug in the sandy soils of stream beaches and bars. Females may produce up to seven clutches in a single year. Like all map turtles, map turtles spend a great deal of time basking in full sunlight, but they will quickly dive into the water if approached.
Although basking traps may be effective, baited hoop traps, which are successful at catching many species of freshwater turtles, are not likely to capture many individuals of any map turtle species unless long fyke nets are used to draw them in. The most effective survey technique is visual surveys for turtles basking on exposed rocks or logs during warm, sunny days.
In addition to occurring in eastern Mississippi, and throughout much of its namesake state (in the Mobile-Tombigbee and Alabama river basins), the Alabama Map Turtle is also known elsewhere from larger streams of the Coosa River basin in Georgia and Tennessee. The occurrence of this species in Georgia was not recognized until 1978where is now known to occur within the Coosa River drainage (including the Oostanaula and Conasauga rivers) in the Ridge and Valley physiographic province from the Alabama border to the west, extending northeast beyond the Tennessee border. This species apparently co-occurs with the common map turtle with stretches of in the Coosa and Oostanaula rivers.
Alabama map turtles are vulnerable to habitat alterations and disturbances to the natural hydrology and water quality from impoundment, siltation, and pollution threaten the existence of native mollusks, and ultimately the Alabama map turtle. The removal of snags and fallen logs along waterways limits the availability of basking sites. Illegal take of this species for both human consumption and the pet trade may be a significant problem.
| Threat 1 | Threat 2 | Threat 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Threat | Natural system modifications | Pollution | None |
| Specific Threat | Other ecosystem modifications | Industrial & military effluents | None |
The Alabama Map Turtle was petitioned for listing under the US Endangered Species Act in 2010 and the US Fish and Wildlife Service published a substantial finding in 2021 with a proposed listing as Threatened Due to Similarity of Appearance to the Pearl River map turtle (G. pearlensis) which is proposed as Threatened under the ESA. This Alabama map turtle was protected under Georgia's Endangered Wildlife Act in 1992, previously designed as High Priority within Georgia’s Wildlife Action Plan in 2005, and was previously petitioned for federal listing in 1983, but not subsequently listed.
The Conasauga Wildlife Management Area is the only publicly owned property known to be inhabited by this turtle species; however, surveys in the headwaters of the Conasauga River could add other Georgia conservation lands to the list. In Georgia, the beds of non-navigable streams belong to the owner(s) of the adjacent parcel(s) contrast to beds of navigable streams in which private ownership extends only to the low-water mark, and the remainder of the streambed is owned by the State of Georgia for the common good. While habitat of Georgia protected species occurring within state-owned lands are protected, this protection does not extend to publicly owned portions of streams or stream beds.
Riparian habitats of the Coosa River drainage should be protected from further degradation. Suitably sized forested buffers should be maintained or established where lacking along the banks both the main channels and larger tributaries and the removal of snags from stream channels should be discouraged.
Stretches of the Oostanaula River from Rome to Calhoun, the Conasauga River in the vicinity of Dalton (where only historical occurrences of the species are known), and within the Conasauga River in the vicinity of the Tennessee border should be targeted for survey. Additionally, as the Alabama map turtle was recently documented from the Conasauga River in Tennessee, the larger tributaries making up the headwaters of this river (including Jacks River) in the Cohutta Mountains (Cohutta Wilderness of the Chattahoochee National Forest) should also be surveyed.
Cagle, F. R. 1952. The status of the turtles Graptemys pulchra Baur and Graptemys barbouri Carr and Marchand, with notes on their natural history. Copeia 1952: 223-234.
Brown, G. J., III. 2021. Graptemys pulchra. Geographic Distribution [Bradley County, TN]. Herpetological Review 52(3): 574.
Brown, G. J., III, J. B. Jensen, and S. P. Graham. 2011. Geographic distribution. Graptemys pulchra. Herpetological Review 42: 389.
Harris, J. L., J. Laerm, and L. J. Vitt. 1982. Geographical distribution. Graptemys pulchra. Herpetological Review 13(1): 24.
Jensen, J. B. 2016. Surveys for the Alabama Map Turtle (Graptemys pulchra) in the Coosa River, Georgia. Georgia Journal of Science Vol. 74, No. 2, Article 4. Available at: http://digitalcommons.gaacademy.org/gjs/vol74/iss2/4
Lovich, J.E., Godwin, J.C., and McCoy, C.J. 2014. Graptemys pulchra Baur 1893 – Alabama Map Turtle. In: Rhodin, A.G.J., Pritchard, P.C.H., van Dijk, P.P., Saumure, R.A., Buhlmann, K.A., Iverson, J.B., and Mittermeier, R.A. (Eds.). Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Chelonian Research Monographs No. 5, pp. 072.1–072.6, doi:10.3854/crm.5.072.pulchra.v1.2014, http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/cbftt/.
Lovich, J. E., and C. J. McCoy. 1992. Review of the Graptemys pulchra group (Reptilia: Testudines: Emydidae), with descriptions of two new species. Annals of the Carnegie Museum 61: 293-315.
Santhuff, S., and L. Wilson. 1990. Geographical distribution. Graptemys pulchra. Herpetological Review 21(2): 39.
Thomson, R. C., P. Q. Spinks, and H. B. Shaffer. 2018. Molecular phylogeny and divergence of the map turtles (Emydidae: Graptemys). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 121: 61-70.
US Fish & Wildlife Service. 2021. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding for Pascagoula Map Turtle; Threatened Species Status with Section 4(d) Rule for Pearl River Map Turtle; and Threatened Species Status for Alabama Map Turtle, Barbour’s Map Turtle, Escambia Map Turtle, and Pascagoula Map Turtle Due to Similarity of Appearance with a Section 4(d) Rule: Proposed Rule. Federal Register 86(223): 66624-66659.
Thomas M. Floyd & John B. Jensen
T. Floyd, Feb 2023: account revision
J. Jensen, Dec. 2007: original account
K. Owers, Sept. 2009: updated status and ranks, added picture
