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Eastern Musk Turtle

Eastern Musk Turtle

Sternotherus odoratus

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Wetland
Activity: Crepuscular (Active at dawn/dusk)
Lifespan: 15-19 years on average

A small turtle also known as thee Common Musk Turtle or the Stinkpot Turtle due to its ability to release a foul musky odor from scent glands on the edge of its shell, possibly to deter predation. It is black, grey or brown in color with a highly domed shell. It has a long neck and rather short legs. The yellow lines on the neck are a good field marker, and often can be seen from above in swimming turtles. The head is triangular in shape, with a pointed snout and sharp beak, and yellow-green striping from the tip of the nose to the neck.

Diet

omnivorous, consuming a wide variety of plants and animal prey

Activity Pattern

Crepuscular (Active at dawn/dusk)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Chordata
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Class: Reptilia
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Order: Testudines
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Family: Kinosternidae
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Genus: Sternotherus
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Species: Sternotherus odoratus

Scientific Name

Sternotherus odoratus
Breeding Season
Throughout the year, although mostly in spring and fall
Lifespan
15-19 years on average

Behavior

The eastern musk turtle is mostly aquatic, spending the vast majority of its time in shallow, heavily vegetated waters of slow moving creeks, or in ponds. It typically only ventures onto land when the female lays eggs, to bask, or in some cases forage. They often bask on branches or forking limbs overhanging water. Stinkpots brumate when water temperatures drop below 10°C. They typically enter brumation after burying themselves around 30 cm deep in mud.

Ecological Role

Stinkpots are important bioindicators for freshwater habitats. Water pollution and other disturbances can negatively affect body mass and shell quality, which in turn can impact population size, reproductive fitness, and susceptibility to disease.

Activity Pattern

Crepuscular (Active at dawn/dusk)

Habitat Types

Wetland

Geographic Distribution

The eastern musk turtle ranges in southern Ontario, southern Quebec, and in the Eastern United States from southern Maine in the north, south through to Florida, and west to central Texas, with a disjunct population located in central Wisconsin.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

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