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Class:
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Reptilia
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Order:
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Testudines
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Family:
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Kinosternidae
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Genus:
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Sternotherus
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Species:
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odoratum
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Life span:
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50 or more years
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Egg Gestation:
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Females lay 1 – 9 eggs that hatch 60 – 85 days later
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Number of young at birth:
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1 – 9
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Age of maturity:
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3 – 4 years
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Size:
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Shell averages 3 – 5 in. long
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Weight:
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1 – 2 lb
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Size at birth:
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Less than 1 in.
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Description:
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Olive brown to dark gray turtle with a highly domed, oval shaped carapace. The carapace is often covered with a camouflaging layer of algae. Have two bright facial stripes beneath their eyes and small, tentacle-like sensory extensions known as barbels on their chins and throats. The lower shell is small and has a single hinge which enables the turtle to partially close and protect itself.
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| Diet: | Eats earthworms, snails, clams, crayfish, crabs, insects, tadpoles, fish and fish eggs. Also eats some plant foods like algae. |
| Range: | Southeastern Canada, eastern and Midwestern United States and south through Texas |
| Habitat: | Lives in freshwater rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and swamps |
Fun Facts:
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When threatened, the common musk turtle may bite and scratch fiercely. Worse yet, it may spray its musk – an odor so vile, it has earned this turtle the nickname “stinkpot”.
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Walks on the bottom of the stream or pond instead of swimming like other turtles.
