Family: Kinosternidae, Musk and Mud Turtles view all from this family

Description Carapace keelless. Lightly striped with 3 stripes. Sometimes bone structure visible through scutes. 11 scutes, with 2 hinges.

Dimensions 7.5-12.2cm. (3-4 3/4")

Breeding September-June. 3 Clutches a year, 1-4 eggs in a clutch. Nest built in sand and filled with vegetation. Hatch after 13-19 weeks. Hatchlings the length of a man's thumb and have a keeled shell.

Habitat Meadows, drainage canals and cypress swamps. Freshwater.

Range Florida and s. Georgia. Also South Carolina.

Discussion Terrestrial. Eats insects, snails, fish (dead or alive), algae and plants. Often called a 'dung-cooter' since it sometimes digs in manure. Those from the far south, Florida Keys, are darker.