Musk Turtle

Genus Sternotherus

Reptile

Transcript:

Today on Animal Fact Files we’re discussing musk turtles. Musk turtles get their common name for their stinky smell, of course they're not always stinky! There are currently about half a dozen described musk turtle species. When disturbed, these reptiles release a foul-smelling liquid that would make just about any predator run for cover. It's believed the stench helps ward off potential threats, but they only smell the place up when they're under stress.

Musk turtles live throughout the eastern side of North America. They inhabit all kinds of freshwater systems but they prefer slow moving currents over rapids. It's not uncommon to find a musk turtle anywhere there's freshwater with soft substrate and plenty of vegetation, though they're largely absent from the Appalachian mountain range. These turtles aren't the most famous for hauling themselves out of water and basking for hours on end, however, they can give quite a start to anyone unaware when they fall out of trees! 

These small reptiles range in size from 2 to over 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) long. Depending on the species, either the male or the female may be larger, but males have thicker tails. These turtles have dexterous claws that help them scale tree branches overhanging the water. They can climb upwards of 10 feet (3 m) above the water's surface, and, when they fall, every once in a while they plop right into a passing fishing boat or kayak! Imagine the surprise of a turtle falling from the sky straight into your canoe! Just watch out because they can be a little feisty, though this largely depends on the individual.

Musk turtles are typically brown to gray in color, sometimes sporting yellow stripes or black speckles on yellow skin across their head and neck. They have spurs in the head and chin that look like little spines poking out from their flesh. Collectively, they're known as musk turtles but colloquially they are called stink pots, and, one of my personal favorite common names to date, stinkin' Jims! These turtles are omnivores and eat algae, seeds, snails and other molluscs, tadpoles, crustaceans, and more! 

As adults, musky turtles are generally safe from predators, though alligators and snapping turtles dine on them from time to time. They're also disturbed by humans who drain their habitats for construction. Baby musk turtles and musk turtle eggs are more at risk. Raccoons and crows dig up their nests or eat exposed eggs not fully buried in the soil. Snakes, snapping turtles, bullfrogs, and wading birds also eat the young reptiles if given the opportunity. Of course, that stink does help deter predators and even unhatched eggs can let loose the stench!

It takes anywhere from 2 to 10 years for musk turtles to reach reproductive maturity depending on the species as well as where they live. Generally, they're active most of the year, only entering a dormant period in the winter months, but those living further north remain in this low energy state buried in mud for even longer. When a male is ready to reproduce, he'll approach a potential female cautiously and nip at her to see if she's receptive to his advances. If she is, they'll mate, and she'll leave to lay her eggs on land. It takes about two to three months on average for the eggs to incubate. There are fewer than a dozen eggs per nest and upwards of four nests per year depending on the species. It's estimated that musk turtles can live at least twenty years in the wild!

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