Sternotherus
| Sternotherus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Sternotherus odoratus common musk turtle, hatchling | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Cryptodira |
| Superfamily: | Kinosternoidea |
| Family: | Kinosternidae |
| Subfamily: | Kinosterninae |
| Genus: | Sternotherus Bell in Gray, 1825[1] |
Sternotherus is a genus of aquatic turtles known commonly as musk turtles, which are endemic to North America. This genus is closely related to the genus Kinosternon.[2] The most common species of Sternotherus in most of North America is Sternotherus odoratus, the common musk turtle or stinkpot; that entry has more information on the ecology of this group of turtles.
Geographic range
The genus occurs in southern Canada, as well as the United States and Mexico.
Description
They are very similar to the American mud turtles, but tend to have a more domed carapace, with a distinctive keel down the center of it. Sternotherus odoratus typically grows to only 8–14 cm (3–5½ inches) in carapace length at full maturity, with females often being larger than males.
Diet
All musk turtles are carnivorous, consuming various aquatic invertebrates, fish, and carrion.
Behavior
They are a highly aquatic genus. But some, like the common musk turtle, are known to bask on fallen trees and coarse woody debris on shorelines.[2]
Species
- Sternotherus carinatus (Gray, 1855) - razorback musk turtle
- Sternotherus depressus (Tinkle & Webb, 1955) - flattened musk turtle
- Sternotherus minor (Agassiz, 1857) - loggerhead musk turtle
- Sternotherus odoratus (Latreille, 1801) - common musk turtle or stinkpot
References
Further reading
- Bell T. 1821. In: Gray JE. 1821. "A Synopsis of the Genera of Reptiles and Amphibia, with a Description of some new Species". Annals of Philosophy, New Series [Second Series] 10: 193-217. (Sternotherus, new genus, p. 211).
- Goin CJ, Goin OB, Zug GR. 1978. Introduction to Herpetology, Third Edition. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman and Company. xi + 378 pp. ISBN 0-7167-0020-4. (Genus Sternotherus, pp. 136, 263-264).
- Smith HM, Brodie ED Jr. 1982. Reptiles of North America: A Guide to Field Identification. New York: Golden Press. 240 pp. ISBN 0-307-13666-3. (Genus Sternotherus, p.28).
External links
- Walker, Matt. "Turtle 'super tongue' lets reptile survive underwater," BBC Earth News, 20 May 2010.
- Genus Sternotherus at The Reptile Database
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