Northern Map Turtle - Tortue géographique - Graptemys geographica
After a long afternoon of birding, I was making my way back to a parking area when I came across this Turtle in the grass, making its way to water. I had never seen this species on land, this far from water. It was late afternoon/early evening, and I was concerned that it get back to the relative safety of the water. I dropped down for a half dozen images and left it moving steadily toward the Lake.
This is a Turtle of the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes region: southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec. It has a much wider range in the States. Here it is designated a species of special concern, having seen significant population impacts from the development of River and lake shorelines, and of course vehicle impacts. A recent study looked at the impact of boat propellor impacts as well. Pollution affects the females primary food source: molluscs.
Like the Snapping Turtle, it takes female Northern Map Turtles over a decade to mature, and the females are often travelling some distance to build a nest.
They live here is small muddy lakes and wetlands, and in the Ottawa River. The females, who have a crushing mechanism in their mouths, are the big mollusc eaters. The males are more likely to eat crayfish and insects.
Northern Map Turtle - Tortue géographique - Graptemys geographica
After a long afternoon of birding, I was making my way back to a parking area when I came across this Turtle in the grass, making its way to water. I had never seen this species on land, this far from water. It was late afternoon/early evening, and I was concerned that it get back to the relative safety of the water. I dropped down for a half dozen images and left it moving steadily toward the Lake.
This is a Turtle of the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes region: southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec. It has a much wider range in the States. Here it is designated a species of special concern, having seen significant population impacts from the development of River and lake shorelines, and of course vehicle impacts. A recent study looked at the impact of boat propellor impacts as well. Pollution affects the females primary food source: molluscs.
Like the Snapping Turtle, it takes female Northern Map Turtles over a decade to mature, and the females are often travelling some distance to build a nest.
They live here is small muddy lakes and wetlands, and in the Ottawa River. The females, who have a crushing mechanism in their mouths, are the big mollusc eaters. The males are more likely to eat crayfish and insects.