Black-knobbed Map Turtle

Graptemys nigrinoda, commonly known as the black-knobbed map turtle, is a medium-sized aquatic turtle with a carapace length of up to 8 inches. It has a dark olive-brown carapace with yellow or white markings and a yellow plastron. Its distinguishing feature is the black knob on the posterior of the carapace. It is found in the rivers and streams of the southeastern United States, from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas. Its lifespan is up to 30 years and its current population is stable.

Name Origin: The scientific name of the organism, Graptemys nigrinoda, is derived from the Greek words "graptos" meaning "marked" and "emys" meaning "turtle". The species name, nigrinoda, is derived from the Latin words "niger" meaning "black" and "nodus" meaning "knot". This is likely in reference to the black markings on the carapace of the organism.

Related Species: Graptemys oculifera, Graptemys pseudogeographica, Graptemys pulchra, Graptemys flavimaculata, Graptemys barbouri, Graptemys caglei, Graptemys ouachitensis, Graptemys geographica

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Reptilia

Class: Reptile

Order: Testudines

Family: Emydidae

Genus: Chelonia

Species: Turtle

Graptemys nigrinoda is a species of aquatic turtle that prefers to live in slow-moving rivers and streams with muddy bottoms. They are most commonly found in the southeastern United States, where they can be seen basking on logs or rocks near the water's edge. They prefer habitats with plenty of vegetation, such as aquatic plants, and plenty of hiding places, such as logs, rocks, and undercut banks. They are also known to share their habitat with other species, such as bass, catfish, and sunfish. Graptemys nigrinoda is an important part of the aquatic ecosystem, helping to keep the water clean and providing food for other animals.

Native country: USA, Mexico

Native continent: They are native to North America, mainly found in the United States.

Other organisms found in habitat: crayfish, fish, aquatic plants, algae, insects

Appearance Summary: Graptemys nigrinoda is a species of aquatic turtle with a blackish-brown carapace and a yellowish-brown plastron. It has a long neck and a pointed snout. Its carapace is smooth and oval-shaped, with a keel running along the center. It has a yellowish-brown stripe running along the center of its carapace and a yellowish-brown stripe running along the center of its plastron. Its head is blackish-brown with yellowish-brown stripes running along the sides. Its legs are blackish-brown with yellowish-brown stripes running along the sides. Its tail is blackish-brown with yellowish-brown stripes running along the sides. Its claws are blackish-brown with yellowish-brown stripes running along the sides.

Facial description: Graptemys nigrinoda has a distinct facial pattern with a black line running from the snout to the nape of the neck, and a black line running from the eye to the corner of the mouth. It has a yellowish-brown carapace with a black pattern of concentric circles and radiating lines. The head is relatively large and the eyes are located on the sides of the head. The upper jaw is slightly hooked and the lower jaw is slightly upturned. The neck is long and slender.

What are the distinct features of Black-knobbed Map Turtle? Shell coloration, black with yellow stripes, aquatic, omnivorous, basking behavior, vocalizations, low-pitched growls, hisses, and grunts, nesting behavior, female builds nest in shallow water, male guards nest, hibernation behavior, hibernates in mud during winter months

What makes them unique?

Black-knobbed Map Turtle body color description: Olive green, black, yellow, and brown.

skin type: The exterior of Graptemys nigrinoda is smooth and glossy, with a pattern of yellow and black stripes running along its carapace. Its skin is leathery and pliable, with a slightly bumpy texture.

Strengths: Camouflage, Ability to Withstand Low Oxygen Levels, Ability to Withstand High Temperatures, Ability to Withstand Low Temperatures, Ability to Withstand Low Salinity, Ability to Withstand High Salinity

Weaknesses: Poor vision, Poor swimming ability, Susceptible to cold temperatures, Limited range of habitats

Graptemys nigrinoda behavior summary: Graptemys nigrinoda, commonly known as the black knobbed map turtle, is a semi-aquatic species that spends most of its time in the water. It is an excellent swimmer and uses its webbed feet to propel itself through the water. It is also a strong climber and can use its sharp claws to climb up rocks and logs. When threatened, it will hide in the water or on land, and can also use its sharp beak to defend itself. It is an omnivore, feeding on both plant and animal matter, and is known to interact with other species in its environment.

How do they defend themselves? Graptemys nigrinoda, commonly known as the black knobbed map turtle, defends itself from attacks by using its hard shell and sharp beak. It also has a strong bite and can use its long claws to ward off predators.

How do Black-knobbed Map Turtle respond to stimuli in their environment? Vocalizations, Visual Signals, Chemical Signals

How do Black-knobbed Map Turtle gather food? Graptemys nigrinoda, commonly known as the black-knobbed map turtle, is a semi-aquatic turtle that hunts and gathers food in the water. It uses its long neck and sharp beak to catch small fish, insects, and other aquatic invertebrates. To survive, it needs access to clean, oxygen-rich water and a variety of food sources. Challenges it faces while searching for food include competition with other animals, pollution, and habitat destruction.

How do Black-knobbed Map Turtle communicate in their environment? They use a variety of methods to communicate with other organisms, such as vocalizations, body language, and chemical signals. They also use visual cues, such as color changes, to communicate with other organisms. They also use tactile cues, such as touching, to communicate with other organisms.

Examples: They use visual cues, such as head bobbing, to communicate; They use chemical cues, such as pheromones, to communicate; They use sound cues, such as vocalizations, to communicate

How does the Black-knobbed Map Turtle get territorial? Defend territory, Mark territory, Chase intruders,

Diet Summary: Graptemys nigrinoda commonly consumes aquatic invertebrates, such as crayfish, snails, and aquatic insects. It also feeds on small fish, frogs, and aquatic plants. Toxic and unhealthy foods for this organism include pollutants, such as heavy metals, and other contaminants.

Predators: Graptemys nigrinoda, commonly known as the black knobbed map turtle, is threatened by a variety of predators, environmental changes, and negative impacts to its population growth. These include predation from raccoons, otters, and large fish, as well as habitat destruction and fragmentation due to human activities such as logging, agriculture, and urbanization. These factors have caused a decrease in the population of Graptemys nigrinoda, making it a species of conservation concern.

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pollution, Disease, Predation, Competition, Human Activity

Life cycle: Graptemys nigrinoda reproduces by laying eggs in a nest. The eggs hatch into larvae, which then develop into juvenile turtles. The juveniles reach sexual maturity at around 4-5 years of age. During the breeding season, males court females by bobbing their heads and making a grunting sound. Females lay clutches of up to 12 eggs in a nest, which they construct in sandy soil. The eggs incubate for around 70 days before hatching. The hatchlings emerge in late summer and fall.

Average litter or reproduction: 4.5

Average offspring size: 8.9 - 11.4 cm

Most common health issues: Respiratory Infections, Gastrointestinal Infections, Skin Infections, Parasitic Infections, Stress-Related Illnesses

Threats: Habitat Loss, Pollution, Disease, Predation, Competition, Human Activity

Common diseases that threaten the Black-knobbed Map Turtle population: Shell Rot, Bacterial Infections, Parasitic Infections, Fungal Infections, Viral Infections, Nutritional Deficiencies, Stress-Related Diseases, Trauma-Related Diseases

Population: Graptemys nigrinoda's population has been steadily increasing since 2010, with a peak of over 1,000 individuals in 2018. From 2010 to 2020, the population has grown from around 500 to over 1,200 individuals.

How do Black-knobbed Map Turtle adapt to their environment Graptemys nigrinoda, commonly known as the black knobbed map turtle, is an aquatic turtle that has adapted to its environment by developing a strong, hinged plastron that allows it to close itself off from predators. This adaptation is especially useful in its native habitat of slow-moving rivers and streams, where it can hide from predators such as large fish and birds.

What's their social structure? Graptemys nigrinoda is a species of aquatic turtle that lives in the southeastern United States. They are omnivorous, meaning they feed on both plants and animals. They are at the top of the food chain in their environment, as they have no natural predators. They interact with their family and species by forming social hierarchies, with the larger, more dominant turtles having the highest rank. They also communicate with each other through vocalizations and body language.

How would you describe their survival instincts? They have a variety of survival instincts that allow them to respond to their environment. They are able to detect changes in temperature, light, and water levels, and respond accordingly. For example, they will move to deeper water when the temperature rises, and will move to shallower water when the temperature drops. They also have the ability to detect predators and will hide or flee when they sense danger.