Species Reptiles & AmphibiansCommon Musk Turtle

Common Musk Turtle

Sternotherus odoratus

CommonReptile & Amphibian
Illustration of Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus)

The Common Musk Turtle, also called the Stinkpot, releases a foul musk when threatened. It is highly aquatic and walks along the bottom rather than swimming. One of the smallest North American turtles.

Habitat
Slow-moving rivers, ponds, and swamps with muddy bottoms
Diet
Insects, mollusks, fish, and aquatic plants
How common
Common

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