Just like snowflakes, no two Calico Map Turtles are exactly alike ! These Turtles are crazy little explosions of color all over their shells, heads and skin, that hold their patterns and bright colors as they grow. They are actually a geographic variation of Mississippi Map Turtles. Calico Map Turtles originally evolved in one isolated lake that allowed them to develop spectacular patterns and colors not seen anywhere else in their natural range.
Each year we hold back a few of the prettiest ones, and now, three generations later, the results speak for themselves !
So far, Calico Maps stay a little smaller than other Mississippi Maps with males reaching only 4″ and females barely making it to 6″. Their colors vary greatly – but they are always vibrant, and their patterns are truly intricate (see the photos).
Their care and husbandry is exactly the same as it is for normal colored Mississippi Map Turtles which follows:
Mississippi Map Turtles are excellent starter turtles, and they make fine community turtles as well. As with most maps, they have very detailed shell and skin patterns. True omnivores, they will take pellets, plant matter, insects, fish, mollusks and earth worms.
Mississippi maps are fond of basking, but quickly dive in when approached. In time, they overcome this instinct and become quite tame. They are very good tank turtles, and adults also do well in outdoor ponds.
