Black-knobbed Map Turtles by Ken _Gilliland

DAZ|Studio • Animals • posted on Feb 28, 2023

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Description

Here's another turtle from my new set, "Turtles of the World v2" (release date very soon). The Black-knobbed Map Turtle is endemic to the southeastern United States. In Alabama, they are found in the Mobile Bay drainage. In Mississippi, they are found in the Tombigbee River system and in the Black Warrior River as far north as Jefferson County, Alabama. They are only able to survive in fresh water, thus they are only found within freshwater river systems. They eat mollusks, crayfish, and various aquatic vegetation. This species has been observed to consume beetles and dragonflies that have fallen into the river. They communicate vocally through grunting sounds. These turtles are also able to communicate underwater at frequencies too low for humans to hear. They use a form of tactile communication in which males stroke the heads of females with an elongated claw. Males also have been reported rubbing their heads against females. These efforts signal female turtles to breed with communicating males. They are currently considered "Near Threatened". This species has been petitioned and is under consideration for uplisting by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The black-knobbed map turtle is most likely threatened by habitat degradation and encroachment by humans. Humans have been known to remove dead logs that line the shoreline of rivers, which the turtle uses for basking in the sun. Also, indirect disturbances of nest sites may become an issue. Additionally, the turtle population could decline due to the consumption of their eggs by humans or other predators. Fisherman, though, in most cases not purposely, can kill turtles with their trotlines, gill nets, and hoop nets.