Common Musk Turtle

Sternotherus odoratus

The Common Musk Turtle is a small turtle that can produce a smelly musk when it feels scared. They are very good at swimming and love to munch on plants!

Habitat: Ponds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers

Appearance

The Common Musk Turtle is a small turtle with a smooth, dark, dome-shaped shell often covered in algae. It has two distinct yellowish stripes on its head and neck. Its underside is small and fleshy.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassTestudinesOrderTestudinesFamilyKinosternidaeGenusSternotherus

Common Musk Turtle

Interesting facts

Their small bottom shell gives them surprising flexibility for climbing.

These turtles rarely leave the water, even to bask in the sun.

They can breathe underwater through special tissues in their mouth!

They sometimes climb out onto low branches to sunbathe!

Special abilities

Common Musk Turtle has powerful legs that help them walk along the bottom of ponds instead of just swimming.

Common Musk Turtle has strong jaws that help them crush the shells of snails and other hard-bodied prey.

Measurements & details

Length: 5-14 cm
Weight: 0.1-0.3 kg
Lifespan: 10-50 years
Top Speed: 0.5 km/h
Swim Speed: 1.5 km/h
Clutch Size: 1-9
Incubation: 60-100 days
Max Depth: 2 m

Diet & Feeding

This turtle is an omnivore, eating insects, snails, worms, and some aquatic plants.

Age differences: Juveniles are more carnivorous; adults incorporate more plant matter.

Primary Foods

snails
aquatic insects
worms
small crustaceans
algae
aquatic plants

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eats

Ramshorn Snail

Planorbarius corneus

An important food source for the turtle.

eats

Midge Larva

Chironomus plumosus

Preys on aquatic insect larvae in mud.

eaten by

Raccoon

Procyon lotor

Raccoons prey on turtle eggs and young hatchlings.

eaten by

Bald Eagle

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

Predatory birds might catch young turtles.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Solitary

Meet animals that enjoy their independence! These creatures prefer to live by themselves, finding food and shelter on their own.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Ancient Lineage

These fascinating organisms carry echoes of the deep past, with ancestors that have roamed the Earth for an incredible span of time. They are living links to ancient worlds!

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!