Eastern Mud Turtle
Encyclopedia
The eastern mud turtle or common mud turtle is a common species of turtle found in the United States
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is keelless, lacks any pattern, and varies in color from yellowish to black. The plastron is large and double hinged, and can be yellowish to brown, and may sometimes have a dark pattern. The chin and throat are a yellowish grey, streaked and mottled with brown, while the limbs and tail are grayish. The eye, or iris, of the eastern mud turtle is yellow with dark clouding, and its feet are webbed.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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Appearance
The eastern mud turtle is a small and often hard to identify species. It measures 3-4 inches in length. The carapaceCarapace
A carapace is a dorsal section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tortoises, the underside is called the plastron.-Crustaceans:In crustaceans, the...
is keelless, lacks any pattern, and varies in color from yellowish to black. The plastron is large and double hinged, and can be yellowish to brown, and may sometimes have a dark pattern. The chin and throat are a yellowish grey, streaked and mottled with brown, while the limbs and tail are grayish. The eye, or iris, of the eastern mud turtle is yellow with dark clouding, and its feet are webbed.
Distribution
Eastern mud turtles are found in the US states of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.Subspecies
- Kinosternon subrubrum subrubrum (Type speciesType speciesIn biological nomenclature, a type species is both a concept and a practical system which is used in the classification and nomenclature of animals and plants. The value of a "type species" lies in the fact that it makes clear what is meant by a particular genus name. A type species is the species...
) - Eastern mud turtle - Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrpis - Mississippi mud turtle
- Kinosternon subrubrum steindachneri - Florida mud turtle
Ecology
Eastern mud turtles dwell in ponds and other freshwater habitats. They feed mainly on insects and small fish. Raccoons are known to eat this species' eggs, while herons and alligators often hunt the adults.External links
- Eastern mud turtle - Kinosternon subrubrum Species account from the Towson University Reptiles of Maryland Web Page