The Sleeping Habits of False Map Turtles

False map turtles have stripes along their shells that resemble the lines on a map. These turtles are found mainly in the Midwest around various water sources. They have certain hibernation patterns and daily activities that are determined by the temperature of the area they live in. These turtles are usually non-aggressive and tend to enjoy the quiet life of basking in the sun and eating the local vegetation, earthworms and crickets.

  1. Location

    • False map turtles can be found around rivers, ponds, bayous, lakes and marshes. The main locations will be along the stretch of the Mississippi River from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico and around the larger streams of Missouri. The ideal areas for these turtles will have abundant aquatic vegetation for them to feed on and a safe place to bask in the sun for several hours of the day.

    Sleeping Shelter

    • False map turtles make their homes and sleeping area in muskrat lodges or bank burrows. These provide shelter and protection while they sleep. These shelters also provide easy access to the nearby water source for an swift getaway if danger approaches.

    Sleeping

    • These turtles will hibernate through the winter months starting around the middle of October and emerge from their slumber around late March. This activity schedule can vary slightly due to geographical location and temperature. During the non-hibernation months, they sleep when the sun goes down.

    Waking Hours

    • False map turtles can be found stretched out in the sun between 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. when they are not hibernating. They will bask in the sun by stretching their limbs, head and tail out from their shell to soak up the warmth. The turtles rarely stretch out on the water banks around their homes for their own safety. They tend to go out farther where there is less risk of danger. Instead you will find them relaxing on logs, piles of rocks, stumps and sandbars. The ideal basking area will have an area completely out of the water and preferably dry.