*The colored areas of the map above represent parishes with currently known records for the given species (Source: Jeff Boundy, LA Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries). By no means does it represent the full range of the species in the state, nor does it necessarily mean that a species can be found throughout the parish with the record. This is provided as a guide to where you might be able to find these species in the state and to aid in identification. A descriptive explanation of the range of each species can be found in the text below.
Other Common Names:
Subspecies: No subspecies recognized.
Description:
Similar Species:
Species Range:
Louisiana Range: Known only from the Pearl and Bogue Chitto Rivers in the extreme eastern Florida Parishes of Washington and St. Tammany.
Habitat:
Natural History:
Best Time and Place to Observe:
Global Conservation Status: Ringed Map Turtles are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. Their NatureServe Global Conservation Status Rank is G2 (Imperiled).
Federal Conservation Status: The Ringed Map Turtle is a federally threatened species.
Louisiana Conservation Status: Ringed Map Turtles have a ranking of S2 (imperiled because of rarity – 6-20 known extant populations). Ringed Map Turtles have a State Protection Status of ‘threatened’, meaning taking or harassment of this species is a violation of state and federal laws.
*** If you live in the range of this species in Louisiana and believe you may have observed this species please let me know (take a picture if possible), as there may be more unknown populations in the state.***
Author's Remarks: I was able to photograph the individual pictured after it was captured on the Pearl River by a colleague in 2015. I observed one individual of this species basking on logs in the Bogue Chitto River in Spring 2017, and a couple more at the same site in late November 2017, and in late Spring 2018.
