Graptemys nigrinoda

Male   3" - 4"            Female   6" - 10"

In the wild, they feed on snails and insects, as well as aquatic vegetation.

Air Temperature:  Low to mid 80's 

Basking Temperature:  High 80's to low 90's

Water Temperature:  Low to mid 70's

Sand and Clay bottomed streams.

Alabama, Tombigbee and Black Warrior river systems of Alabama and Mississippi

Yes

These are aggressive baskers, so a basking spot is required. UVB lighting is needed as well as a heat lamp over the basking spot. A submersible heater is recommended if the water temps fall below the recommendation. They are excellent swimmers and their captive habitat should have a water depth as deep as possible. Substrate should be anywhere from a sand to a fine-to-medium size gravel.

Recommended size for a single adult Graptemys nigrinoda would be a 30 gallon aquarium as a minimum (40 or larger preferred) for males, and a 75 gallon aquarium as a minimum (90 or larger preferred) for females. This will provide adequate swimming area, as well as assisting the filtration in maintaining good water quality. For additional Graptemys nigrinoda, I would recommend adding 20 gallons of tank space per additional male, and adding 40 gallons of tank space for each additional female at a minimum.

Stock Tanks and Rubbermaid containers also work well. The same space recommendations remain the same.

In captivity, they do well on Mazuri and ReptoMin, Reptile/Pond 10, Cichlid Sticks, assorted veggies, aquatic plants, snails, crickets, and assorted worms and insects.

Graptemys nigrinoda is a great turtle for a community habitat with Sliders, Cooters, other Map Turtles and Painted Turtles.

There are 2 subspecies of Graptemys nigrinoda -

Graptemys nigrinoda nigrinoda - Northern Black-Knobbed Sawback

Graptemys nigrinoda delticola - Southern Black-Knobbed Sawback

Care for both are the same. Map turtles in general are sensitive to water quality, so close attention to their water quality is needed.