ORDER

Testudines (turtles and tortoises)

FAMILY

Kinosternidae (mud and musk turtles)

HABITAT AND RANGE

Loggerhead musk turtles can be found in streams, rivers, and lakes in the southeastern US.

IDENTIFICATION

Turtles can be distinguished from tortoises by noticing a smooth shell and webbed feet. Loggerhead musk turtles have their nostrils at the tip of their snouts so that they can expose only that when they need to breath. They have highly webbed feet which, allow them to live a very aquatic lifestyle.

DIET

Turtles are omnivores and will consume small crustaceans, fish, aquatic plants, snails, clams and insects as they are available.

REPRODUCTION AND LIFESPAN

Clutches consist of 104 eggs and are usually laid on piles of sand. Incubation takes about 13-16 weeks. Lifespan is 10-15 years.

NOTES

Loggerhead musk turtles are highly aquatic and may spend most of their lives submerged. As their name implies they expel musk and are capable of doing so even before the hatch. They are as pugnacious as stinkpot turtles and when threatened they quickly secrete a foul smelling liquid.