Cagle's Map Turtle
Encyclopedia
The Cagle's Map Turtle is a species of turtle
in the Emydidae
family.
It is endemic to the Guadalupe
, San Antonio
and San Marcos River
s in Texas
, USA.
and plastron, as well as serrated edges on the posterior of the shell, as is typical of all map turtles. It is smaller than most map turtles, and very sexually dimorphic, with males reaching only 4 inches (10.2 cm) carapace length while females can exceed 7 inches (17.8 cm).
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
in the Emydidae
Emydidae
Emydidae, commonly called the pond turtles or marsh turtles, is a family of turtles. Previously, several species of Asian box turtle were classified in the family. However, revised taxonomy has separated them to a different family. Now, Emydidae, with the exception of two species of pond turtle,...
family.
It is endemic to the Guadalupe
Guadalupe River (Texas)
The Guadalupe River runs from Kerr County, Texas to San Antonio Bay on the Gulf of Mexico. The river is a popular destination for rafters and canoers. Larger cities along the river include New Braunfels, Kerrville, Seguin, Gonzales, Cuero, and Victoria...
, San Antonio
San Antonio River
The San Antonio River is a major waterway that originates in central Texas in a cluster of springs in north central San Antonio, approximately four miles north of downtown, and follows a roughly southeastern path through the state. It eventually feeds into the Guadalupe River about ten miles from...
and San Marcos River
San Marcos River
The San Marcos River rises from the San Marcos Springs, the location of Aquarena Springs, in San Marcos, Texas. The springs are home to several threatened or endangered species, including the Texas Blind Salamander, Fountain Darter, and Texas Wild Rice...
s in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, USA.
Description
The Cagle's Map Turtle has intricate patterns on the carapaceCarapace
A carapace is a dorsal section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tortoises, the underside is called the plastron.-Crustaceans:In crustaceans, the...
and plastron, as well as serrated edges on the posterior of the shell, as is typical of all map turtles. It is smaller than most map turtles, and very sexually dimorphic, with males reaching only 4 inches (10.2 cm) carapace length while females can exceed 7 inches (17.8 cm).