Striped mud turtle

Description

The striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii) is a species of turtle in the family Kinosternidae. The species is native to the southeastern United States. K. baurii has three light-colored stripes along the length of the smooth carapace. It can grow to a straight carapace length of 8–12 cm (3-4¾ inches). K. baurii is a common species found in freshwater habitats. It wanders about on land more than any other of the mud turtles and can sometimes be observed foraging for food in cow dung. The specific name, baurii, is in honor of herpetologist Georg Baur. The striped mud turtle is found in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Adult females of K. baurii nest from September to June. The eggs, which are slightly over 2.5 cm (1 in) long, hatch 13 to 19 weeks later. The hatchlings are about 2.5 cm (1 inch) in straight carapace length and, unlike the adult turtles, have keeled carapaces. Kinosternon is a genus of small aquatic turtles from the Americas known commonly as mud turtles. They are very similar to the musk turtles, but generally smaller in size, and their carapaces are not as highly domed. They are found in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The greatest species richness is in Mexico, and only three species (K. dunni, K. leucostomum, and K. scorpioides) are found in South America. All mud turtles are carnivorous, consuming various aquatic invertebrates, fish, and even carrion.