# 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! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 25 - **Habitat:** Ponds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers - **Also known as:** Musk Turtle, Stinkpot Turtle ![Common Musk Turtle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426888/objects/5627.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Kinosternidae - **Genus:** Sternotherus ## 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 - **Underwater Walker:** Common Musk Turtle has powerful legs that help them walk along the bottom of ponds instead of just swimming. - **Jaw Crusher:** 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 - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 1.5 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-9 - **Incubation:** 60-100 days - **Maximum 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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons prey on turtle eggs and young hatchlings. - **Eaten by:** [Bald Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bald-eagle) (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*) — Predatory birds might catch young turtles. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Common Musk Turtle? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Common Musk Turtle? 5-14 cm ### How much does Common Musk Turtle weigh? 0.1-0.3 kg ### How long does Common Musk Turtle live? 10-50 years ### How fast can Common Musk Turtle move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Common Musk Turtle eat? This turtle is an omnivore, eating insects, snails, worms, and some aquatic plants. ### How fast can Common Musk Turtle swim? 1.5 km/h ### Where is Common Musk Turtle usually found? Ponds, marshes, and slow-moving rivers ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Bullock County Courthouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bullock-county-courthouse-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Gloucester Downtown Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/gloucester-downtown-historic-district) — Virginia, US · Historic District - [Harriman Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/harriman-historic-district) — New Jersey, US · Historic District - [Magnolia Plantation and Gardens (Charleston, South Carolina)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/magnolia-plantation-and-gardens-charleston-south-carolina) — South Carolina, US · Botanical Garden - [Onondaga Lake Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/onondaga-lake-park) — New York, US · Park [View all places to see Common Musk Turtle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/common-musk-turtle) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Common Musk Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-musk-turtle)