The vertebral keel, which is even more prominent in the immature turtles, has dark yellow shading on the adults. The plastron is cream colored and bears few markings except for the dark lines that outline the seams. Its head is tapered with a pointed snout. Yellow and orange patterns also decorate its head, neck, legs, and tail. These patterns, which resemble the intricate contour lines of a map, give the map turtle its name.
Males have long, dense tails, and older females have larger heads than younger females.
The most noticeable characteristic of this turtle, though, is the prominent orange, J-shaped mark that sits directly behind each eye. This species of turtle has a diet consisting of small mollusks, such as snails, and some local vegetation. Reproduction It is believed that these turtles mate in both early spring and late fall. Head bobbing by males has been observed during mating season, although specific mating behaviors have yet to be described. Females come on shore to lay their eggs.