Skip to main content
Close

Common Musk Turtle

Sternotherus odoratus

Photo by KenSutliff
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

40.4418, -75.3416

Field Notes

Description:

Those 2 light stripes on its head distinguish it from just about all other mud and musk turtles. So named because of 4 glands on the bottom part (plastron) of shell that excrete a foul odor when disturbed.

Habitat:

They tend to be bottom walkers along the shallow regions of aquatic habitats.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (1)

Updated a few things here, as these turtles happen to be one of my favorites. They were my primary study organism when I was studying Herpetology at Missouri State.

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon