Striped Mud Turtle
Encyclopedia
The striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii) is a species of turtle endemic to the United States
.
. They can grow to 8–12 cm (3-4¾ inches) carapace
length.
s.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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Geographic range
Striped mud turtle are found in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.Description
They have three light-colored stripes along the length of the smooth 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...
. They can grow to 8–12 cm (3-4¾ inches) carapace
Carapace
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...
length.
Habitat and behavior
Kinosternon baurii is a common species found in freshwater habitats. They wander about on land more than any other mud turtle and can sometimes be observed foraging for food in cow dung.Diet
Striped mud turtles are omnivorous. They eat insects, snails, fish, carrion, algae and plants.Captivity
As pets they are easy to care for, readily eating commercial turtle foods, feeder fish, worms, or if all else fails, turkey cold cuts. They tend to have ornery yet strangely endearing personalities and enjoy sunning themselves more than other mud turtles.Reproduction
They nest from September to June, and the eggs (slightly over an inch long) hatch 13 to 19 weeks later. The hatchlings are about the size of the end of a typical man's thumb and, unlike the adult turtles, have keeled 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...
s.