Common Musk Turtle
(Sternotherus odoratus)
Photo Courtesy of World Chelonia Trust
The Common Musk Turtle is 3 - 5 inches in length. The head has two light stripes that run from the nose through the eyes and to the neck. The carapace is highly dome and smooth and is olive-brown to dark gray, though it is often covered in algae. The end of the male's tail has a blunt horny nail.
Mating season starts in spring and can last until June. Mating usually occurs underwater. Usually 1 - 9 eggs are laid in a nest in a rotting log or the wall of a muskrat lodge. The thick-shelled eggs are off white with a bright white band.
This freshwater turtle can be found in slow moving streams and prefers soft muddy bottoms. It is highly aquatic and rarely leaves the water. It likes to bask in the shallows among the vegetation with only the top of its carapace exposed.
The musk turtle gets its name from a pair of musk glands under the carapace. When disturbed they will secrete a noxious smelling musk and attempt to bite. With their long neck they are able to reach their jaws to their back feet so it is recommended to leave these turtles undisturbed (as with all wildlife) when you come upon them.