Identification
Also known as the “stinkpot” turtle, the Common Musk Turtle is a
small, dull turtle named because of its ability to secrete a smelly musk from
two glands on each side of its body. The carapace is vertebrally arched, and
has much the same coloration as the skin, being drab olive, or grey-brown to
blackish. The carapace is sometimes marked with dark flecks, but these are usually
faded in adults. Juveniles are more attractive in appearance being adorned with
spots or radiating streaks. The small plastron has a single hinge and varies
in coloration from yellowish to brown. The head features a slightly projected
snout and a pair of yellow or white stripes extending from the snout to above
and below the eye. There are also barbels on both the chin and throat.
Distribution and Status
The Common Musk Turtle is abundant throughout much of its range and stays on
flatter land, avoiding mountainous or hilly terrain. They range from southern
Ontario, southern Quebec, and southern Maine to the north, south through Florida,
and west to east central Texas. A disjuct population is also located in central
Wisconsin. In the Midwest, Common Musk Turtles are State Threatened Iowa and
are not absent from Minnesota. (US
distribution map; Midwest
distribution map).
Ecology
Found mostly in aquatic environs, Common Musk Turtles prefer permanent bodies
of water such as lakes, ditches, ponds, and quiet streams, where they tend to
dwell on the bottom. Basking is done with caution, but because of their mobile
body shape, they can be found as far as 6 feet up in trees near the water!
Threats and Management Issues
Like all other turtle species, the greatest threat to the Common Musk Turtle
is habitat loss and destruction, largely as a result of water pollution and
wetland drainage. Individuals are also regularly injured or killed from fishing
and from contact with boat propellers.
Resources
Ernst. C. H., J. E. Lovich and R. W. Barbour. 1994. Turtles of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, USA.
General reference guides and websites.
Bruce Kingsbury, Director
Center for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management
Science Building
Indiana-Purdue University
2101 East Coliseum Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499