Common Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica)

Above is the Common Map Turtle which we found lying beside Long Lake in Lux Arbor.  She didn't move much which we assumed meant she was trying to protect her nest.
You can see the markings on her back resemble the contour lines of a map, hence the name Common Map Turtle. The Common Map Turtle has very strong jaws and therefore can eat a variety of tough prey, including snails, crayfish, mollusks and other insects.
An interesting fact about the map turtle is that they can often be found stacked on top of each other basking in the sun.