Texas Mute Turtle

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Texas Mute Turtle
Graptemys versa.jpg

Texas Mute Turtle ( Graptemys versa )

Systematics
Order : Turtles (Testudinata)
Subordination : Halsberger tortoises (Cryptodira)
Family : New World pond turtles (Emydidae)
Subfamily : Deirochelyinae
Genre : Mute Tortoises ( Graptemys )
Type : Texas Mute Turtle
Scientific name
Graptemys versa
Stejneger , 1925

The Texas mute turtle ( Graptemys versa ) is a species of the mute turtle genus , which belongs to the New World pond turtle family, native to the US state of Texas .

Appearance

The Texas mute turtle is the smallest of all the mute turtles. The females have a carapace length of 12.5 to 20 centimeters. The males are only half as big even when fully grown and have a carapace length of 6.5 to 10 centimeters. The basic color of the armor is olive with a fine, orange-yellow line coloring on each horn shield. The dorsal keel is most noticeable in young animals, but is also visible in adult individuals and is dark yellow in color. The belly armor is cream-colored and has only a few color markings apart from the dark lines on the edges. The head is narrow and the muzzle is pointed. The skin of the head, neck, legs and tail has a yellow and orange-colored line pattern. Males have long tails, and older females can be identified by their wider heads. Directly behind the eye there is a conspicuous, mostly J-shaped color marking, which is one of the clear identifying features of this turtle species.

distribution and habitat

The Texas mute turtle is limited to a relatively small region in the US state of Texas. It occurs only on the Edwards Plateau in central Texas and occurs there in the Colorado River and its tributaries. They prefer shallow watercourses with moderate flow movements and rich vegetation. The bottom of these watercourses is made up of either sand, clay or limestone .

Way of life

Like many other aquatic turtles, they can often be seen sunbathing. They are very shy and dive back into the water at the slightest hint of danger. They are excellent swimmers and eat clams and plants.

The mating season of this species of mute turtle has not been determined with certainty. Presumably they mate in early spring and late fall. The females prefer to dig their nesting pits in sandy spots near the watercourses. The average clutch consists of six eggs. The hatching time of the young turtles depends on the ambient temperature. The young usually hatch after 65 to 85 days.

The populations of all mute turtles are declining. This also applies to the Texas mute turtle. The causes of the population decline are varied and range from environmental pollution to increasing destruction of the habitat.

proof

literature

  • R. Babour, C. Ernest: Turtles of the United States . The University Press of Kentucky, Kentucky 1989.

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