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Common musk turtle
Sternotherus oderatus
35.9002, -79.0926
Field Notes
Description:
When I first saw this baby turtle on a walking path, I thought it was a nutshell. It is the smallest turtle I have seen and I'm guessing it was a new hatchling. The coin shown for size is a US quarter. This species is also called stinkpot, due to its ability to release a foul musky odor from scent glands on the edge of its shell, possibly to deter predation. When I moved the baby out of the walking path, it didn’t release an odor, possibly still having to learn this. Or it didn't feel threatened.
Habitat:
Hank Anderson Park
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