Barbour's Sawback Turtle
Graptemys barbouri
Barbour's map turtle is a species of turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is native to the southeastern United States.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbour's_map_turtle
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Testudines
Family
Emydidae
Genus
Graptemys
Barbour's Sawback Turtle belongs to the family Emydidae, order unknown, within the Testudines class.
Species Profile
Barbour's map turtle is a species of turtle in the family Emydidae. The species is native to the southeastern United States.
Barbour's Sawback Turtle faces significant threats from habitat degradation due to dam construction, water pollution, and sedimentation in river systems. The species' limited range in the Apalachicola River system makes it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human activities that alter water quality and flow patterns.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Large rivers and tributaries of the Apalachicola River system in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, preferring areas with moderate to swift currents, rocky or sandy bottoms, and abundant aquatic vegetation. The species requires clean, well-oxygenated water with suitable basking sites such as logs, rocks, and emergent vegetation.
Threats
Dam construction and river modification
Water pollution from agricultural and urban runoff
Boat strikes and recreational disturbance
Collection for pet trade
Sedimentation and habitat degradation
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Barbour's Sawback Turtle (Graptemys barbouri). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/barbours-sawback-turtle