Description: Adult male Barbour's map turtles are on average 3.5 to 5.5 inches in straight-line carapace length. Adult females are much larger and can vary from 6 to 12.5 inches in straight-line carapace length. "Females attain really imposing dimensions, and their heads are enormously enlarged". G. barbouri possesses black-tipped spines on the second, third, and fourth vertebral scutes. These spines are very noticeable in males, and resemble a dorsal fin.

Habitat: Barbour’s map turtles live almost all of their lives in large freshwater systems with limestone bottoms. They leave the water only to lay eggs and bask in the sun on large fallen branches and other accessible areas. They prefer deeper and faster flowing waters than other turtles in the family Emydidae. Females are normally found in deeper water than males, hatchlings and juveniles tend to stay closer to the riverbank than adults.

Range: G. barbouri is found in rivers located in southeastern Alabama, the western panhandle of Florida, and southwestern Georgia.

Found in these States: AL | FL | GA

Diet: All Barbour's map turtles are carnivorous. Females eat only mollusks as adults, primarily snails and some clams. The beak crushes these mollusks and all parts, including the shell, are swallowed. Males do not eat as many snails or clams as females, instead feeding more on insects and insect larvae. Hatchlings and juveniles eat insects and insect larvae before moving on to hard-shelled mollusks.

Reproduction: Male and female Barbour's map turtles reproduce sexually, but the specific mating system is not known. Males attract females by approaching them with their neck extended in an attempt to be face-to-face. The male then undertakes a courtship routine in which he touches the sides of the female’s head with the inner surfaces of his front legs for a few seconds.

Fertilization takes place inside the female after the male deposits sperm. The eggs are later deposited in a nest next to a stream or river. The nest cavity is excavated by the female using her hind limbs. Once the eggs are deposited, the opening to the nest is covered with dirt and the eggs are left to finish development. The nesting season for Barbour's map turtles lasts from June through early August. But nesting will occur during the winter when individuals are held in captivity. Clutch size is between 6 and 11 eggs, and a female can lay eggs up to four times in one mating season, allowing the possibility of a female laying between 11 and 51 eggs in one season. The average size of an egg is 1.5 inches long and 1 inch wide.

Status: Barbour's map turtles are considered "vulnerable" by the IUCN and are on Appendix III of CITES. They are given a global rank of "G2," indicating that the species is imperiled. Barbour's map turtles have a relatively restricted range and are subject to threats to their freshwater ecosystems, including dredging, water impoundment, and pollution.

Subspecies: None

Taxonomy: