ORDER

Testudines (turtles and tortoises)

FAMILY

Kinosternidae (mud and musk turtles)

HABITAT AND RANGE

Stinkpot turtles can be found in aquatic landscapes (swamps, ponds, lakes and streams) of southeastern Canada and eastern US.

IDENTIFICATION

Common musk turtles grow to about 8-14 cm long with a dark brown or black carapace. Their skin is also dark brown to black but the head has two yellow lines that run from the snout to the neck. Males differ from females by having larger heads and longer tails that have a stout spine.

DIET

Like most turtles, stinkpots are omnivores; they feed on small insects, carrion, worms, aquatic plants, snails, crayfish, small fish and slugs. They are generalists so they will basically feed on anything they can catch.

REPRODUCTION AND LIFESPAN

Stinkpot turtles dig shallow nests near water under rotting logs or leaves. Mating occurs under water after which 1-9 eggs are laid between February and June. Hatchlings emerge 2-4 months later. Lifespan is about 30 years but could reach 50 years.

NOTES

Stinkpot turtles, along with the three other musk turtle species will secrete a foul smelling oily liquid when threatened. Males are especially aggressive and will quickly bite an aggressor. Another interesting tactic that stinkpot turtles exhibit that is unique to them that possibly helps them avoid predation is that they tend to walk along the bottom of the riverbeds and ponds that they inhabit rather than swimming near the surface. Stinkpot turtles are generally a nocturnal species.