Eastern Musk Turtle
Sternotherus odoratus
Also known as: Common Musk Turtle · Stinkpot · Stinkpot Turtle · Stinking Jim
Reptilia
UNCOMMON
Stats
- Lifespan
- 20-50 yrs
- Size
- Small
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Activity
- Nocturnal
- Social
- Solitary
- Biome
- Freshwater wetland
- Range
- Eastern North America
- Movement
- Walking
- Breeding
- Egg-laying
- Defense
- Armor
- Status
- Uncommon
About
A small, dome-shelled freshwater turtle found across eastern North America, nicknamed the 'stinkpot' for the pungent musk it releases from glands near its legs when threatened.
Life cycle
- 1.hatchlingA coin-sized hatchling digs out of the nest and makes its own way to water or shelter.
- 2.juvenileA juvenile turtle's shell hardens and grows yearly rings as it forages on its own.
- 3.adultFully grown with adult shell size and markings.
Learn more
Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Reptilia
- Order
- Testudines
- Family
- Kinosternidae
- Genus
- Sternotherus
- Species
- Sternotherus odoratus