Browse map turtles for sale on ReptileAds, including Mississippi, Ouachita and false map turtles. Compare listings from breeders and keepers and chat with sellers before you buy.
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Map turtles are sleek river turtles named for the delicate lines on their shells that look like the contours of a topographic map. Many species also carry a row of knobs or spikes along the top of the shell, earning some the nickname sawbacks. They are lively, alert turtles that appreciate clean, well-filtered water.
The genus Graptemys includes over a dozen species, most of them found in the river systems of the southeastern United States, particularly in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and neighboring states. Species keepers commonly look for include the northern or common map turtle, the Mississippi map turtle, the false map turtle, the Ouachita map turtle and the Texas map turtle.
Some of the rarer sawbacks have very small natural ranges and are protected. Certain species may require state-specific permits or have collection restrictions, so check the rules for the exact species and your location before buying.
Map turtles range from roughly 4 to 12 inches depending on species and sex, and the difference between the sexes is striking. Males typically stay small and slender, while females of many species grow much larger and develop broad heads suited to crushing snails and clams.
In captivity, map turtles usually live around 15 to 20 years. When buying a young turtle whose sex is not yet clear, it is sensible to plan for a large adult.
Coming from flowing rivers, map turtles do best with generous swimming space, strong filtration and frequent partial water changes. A secure basking platform with a heat lamp and UVB lighting gives them a place to dry off and warm up. Many keepers also add gentle water movement and a few smooth rocks or branches. Map turtles tend to be more sensitive to dirty water than sliders or painted turtles, so a filter rated well above the tank's volume and a steady water change routine are worth building in from day one.
Their omnivorous diet includes aquatic insects, small fish, crustaceans, mollusks and aquatic vegetation. Quality pellets form a reliable base, with insects, snails and greens for variety. Water tests, feedings and weights are easy to keep track of in Husbandry.Pro, which helps when you want to see how a turtle has grown. A full care guide will give species-specific temperature and tank recommendations.
Start by confirming the species, then ask whether the turtle is captive bred and roughly when it hatched. Clear eyes, a smooth, firm shell and active swimming in recent photos or video are encouraging signs, though no listing can guarantee health or sex. Ask what the turtle eats now and whether it accepts pellets.
Compare listings, check the seller's profile and reviews, and use built-in chat to settle shipping or pickup. If you are hoping for a particular species, a Hit List alert will tell you when one appears.
AI-assisted guide reviewed by the ReptileAds team. General information about these animals — not care, veterinary or legal advice, and not a description of any individual listing above.
Map turtles are river turtles from the genus Graptemys, admired for the fine contour-line markings on their shells and the saw-toothed ridge running down the back of many species. Listings here can include several different species, so the exact species name is the first thing to check.
Because males and females grow to very different sizes, ask the seller whether the turtle's sex is known or suspected and plan your setup around the larger possibility. Use built-in chat to ask about diet and water setup, look over seller profiles and reviews, and create a Hit List alert for the species you have in mind.
Related categories include Red-Eared Sliders, Painted Turtles and Other Aquatic Turtles.
ReptileAds brings map turtle keepers and buyers together in one marketplace.
Look for common, Mississippi, false, Ouachita and other map turtles in one place as they are listed.
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Map turtles are strong swimmers from flowing rivers, and clean water is central to their care.
See a full ReptileAds map turtle care guide for species-specific setup details.
Map turtles vary a lot by species, so good questions go a long way.