Post by SWRR on Apr 28, 2009 15:12:31 GMT
Common Map Turtle - Graptemys geographica
Lifespan: 30 Years or more
Estimated Size: 5" to 11"
Natural Location: North America
Feeding & Water
Common Map Turtles will eat both meat and vegetation. Feed them a wide variety of foods, including fish, crickets, earthworms, mealworms, waxworms, leafy green, carrots and even commercially prepared turtle food. Feed your young Map Turtles daily, and adults every second day. Make sure to include a calcium and multi-vitamin supplement to their food. The growth of their shell requires the calcium. Remove all feces from the water as soon as possible. Turtles normally defecate shortly after eating. You may also want to consider placing your turtle in a seperate feeding tank.
Temperature & Lighting
Provide a large heat gradient ranging from 65 degrees F to 90 degrees F. You can reach this level of heat by using an incandescent bulb or ceramic heat emitter. Your Common Map Turtle will need about 12 hours of full-spectrum lighting. The UVB lighting is extremely important for the healthy development of the turtle.
Housing
To live comfortably, Common Map Turtles need a fairly large enclosure. This will have to change as well as the turtle grows. Use a screen top on the tank. Provide a shallow area and a dry basking spot. Use rock or large pebbles for the bottom (anything that is too large to eat). Make sure your Map Turtles have a "ramp' to get into the water easily.
Lifespan: 30 Years or more
Estimated Size: 5" to 11"
Natural Location: North America
Feeding & Water
Common Map Turtles will eat both meat and vegetation. Feed them a wide variety of foods, including fish, crickets, earthworms, mealworms, waxworms, leafy green, carrots and even commercially prepared turtle food. Feed your young Map Turtles daily, and adults every second day. Make sure to include a calcium and multi-vitamin supplement to their food. The growth of their shell requires the calcium. Remove all feces from the water as soon as possible. Turtles normally defecate shortly after eating. You may also want to consider placing your turtle in a seperate feeding tank.
Temperature & Lighting
Provide a large heat gradient ranging from 65 degrees F to 90 degrees F. You can reach this level of heat by using an incandescent bulb or ceramic heat emitter. Your Common Map Turtle will need about 12 hours of full-spectrum lighting. The UVB lighting is extremely important for the healthy development of the turtle.
Housing
To live comfortably, Common Map Turtles need a fairly large enclosure. This will have to change as well as the turtle grows. Use a screen top on the tank. Provide a shallow area and a dry basking spot. Use rock or large pebbles for the bottom (anything that is too large to eat). Make sure your Map Turtles have a "ramp' to get into the water easily.