All Turtles Message Board

kirrem · Guest Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 3 Location: UK

Hello,

Thinking about getting two male semi-aquatic turtles and my local pet aquatics store has some that are labeled as "grossi map turtles," but I can't find any mention of this particular type of map turtle.

I've looked at pictures and these little guys (1.5 to 2 in.) look a lot like the common map - they have the topo line skin, and some have yellow blotches running down the center of the shell on the little bumps (forgive me, I don't know all the terms yet) and some have black blotches instead and some don't have any blotches at all.

Also, I should mention that I live in the UK and, since import/export restrictions on turtles can be quite strict, this may be a European species.

Anyone have any ideas? Could they be they be common maps with creative labeling on the part of the pet store?

Thanks.

~k

deesygirl · Moderator Joined: 12 Sep 2002 Posts: 1231

I have not even heard of Grossi Map turtles. But I am still searching.

Here is a website that has turtles native to your area.
http://www.chelonia.org/European_Gallery.htm

Here is a list, with care sheets, of Maps from Chelonia.
http://www.chelonia.org/Articles/graptemyscare.htm
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http://www.anapsid.org/reslider.html

kirrem · Guest Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 3 Location: UK

Thanks for checking! I appreciate the help.

kirrem · Guest Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 3 Location: UK

Today I returned to the pet store and the owner said that the turtles were bread in captivity in the Czech Rep and that he thought they were Mississippi Maps. Grossi Map must refer to the breeder. I think the owner is probably right, they look like Mississippi Maps to me as well.

I took some very poor pictures (sorry - the glass was steamed up and they wouldn't stay still for very long). I've posted two of them on my Flickr page here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/22584371@N02/

Thanks for all your help! I got a really big plastic tub today and will set about making a proper turtle enclosure before bringing a little guy home. Exciting!

~k

Rachel16 · Level 3 Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 378

they are so cute! Smile

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Tara Dakota

In memory of Tara who died unexpectedly 4Pm on January 14, 2007