# Yellow mud turtle (*Kinosternon flavescens*) The yellow mud turtle is a small turtle that loves to live in muddy waters. It has a soft shell and can often be found basking in the sun or hiding in the mud. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Yellow mud turtle](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Kinosternon_flavescens_1.jpg&width=800) Photo: The original uploader was Dawson at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kinosternon_flavescens_1.jpg) ## Appearance The Yellow mud turtle has a smooth, dome-shaped carapace (top shell) that is olive to dark brown. Its most distinctive features are the yellowish to cream-colored plastron (bottom shell) and often yellow markings on its head and neck, with a pointed snout. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Kinosternidae - **Genus:** Kinosternon ## Interesting facts - Their sensitive shell can feel tiny vibrations, warning them of danger! - They sometimes stack on top of each other to share a good basking spot! - They use their strong jaws to crush the shells of snails and small crustaceans! - Yellow mud turtles sometimes climb onto logs to bask in the sun like sunbathers! ## Special abilities - **Drought Survivor:** Yellow mud turtle can bury itself deep in the mud because of/that helps them survive droughts or cold periods for many months. - **Smelly Defense:** Yellow mud turtle has glands that release a stinky musk because of/that helps them scare away predators when feeling threatened. - **Underwater Hunter:** Yellow mud turtle can hold its breath for long periods underwater because of/that helps them quietly ambush prey on the pond bottom. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 8-15 cm - **Weight:** 0.15-0.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 15-25 years - **Speed:** 0.5 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 3 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 1-10 - **Incubation:** 70-120 days - **Maximum Depth:** 2 m ## Diet & Feeding These turtles munch on tiny insects, yummy worms, small fish, and even some underwater plants! - **Age differences:** Young turtles eat more meat, while adults add more plants to their diet. - **Primary Foods:** aquatic insects, snails, tadpoles, small fish, worms, aquatic plants - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raids nests for eggs and preys on young turtles. - **Eats:** Great Pond Snail (*Lymnaea stagnalis*) — Crushes snail shells with its strong jaws. - **Eaten by:** [Great Blue Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-blue-heron) (*Ardea herodias*) — Hunts small turtles and hatchlings in shallow water. ## Traits - [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. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [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. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch turtles from a distance and never try to pick them up without help. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Yellow mud 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 Yellow mud turtle? 8-15 cm ### How much does Yellow mud turtle weigh? 0.15-0.5 kg ### How long does Yellow mud turtle live? 15-25 years ### How fast can Yellow mud turtle move? 0.5 km/h ### What does Yellow mud turtle eat? These turtles munch on tiny insects, yummy worms, small fish, and even some underwater plants! ### How fast can Yellow mud turtle swim? 3 km/h ### Where is Yellow mud turtle usually found? Wetlands ## 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: [Yellow mud turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-mud-turtle)