About Graptemys ernsti Lovich & Mccoy, 1992
Graptemys ernsti, first described by Lovich & McCoy in 1992, displays clear sexual size dimorphism: females grow larger than males. Females can reach a straight carapace length of 28.5 cm (11.2 in), while males only grow to a straight carapace length of 13 cm (5.1 in). This species is geographically distributed in southern Alabama and western Florida, where it lives in rivers that drain into Escambia Bay. Its preferred natural habitat is flowing fresh water, specifically in medium to large creeks and rivers. Regarding reproduction, male Graptemys ernsti reach sexual maturity at 3 to 4 years of age, while females do not reach sexual maturity until 14 to 19 years of age. On average, each sexually mature female lays 4 clutches per year, with an average of 7 eggs per clutch.
