Arizona Mud Turtle
Kinosternon arizonense
Dome shaped carapace, adult length of 3 to 7 inches, coloration olive brown to brown. Head, legs, and tail are brown, head has dark grey on dorsal surface and light yello…
How to identify
Dome shaped carapace, adult length of 3 to 7 inches, coloration olive brown to brown. Head, legs, and tail are brown, head has dark grey on dorsal surface and light yellow on ventral surface. Differentiated from Yellow Mud Turtle by elevated ninth & tenth marginal scutes and first marginal scute not in contact with first vertebral scute.
Range
Small range in the United States & Mexico, solely found in the states of Arizona & Sonora.
Habitat
Semi-aquatic. Found in seasonal ponds & temporary puddles during warm months. Burrows during colder months or in times of drought.
Variations
Males: Carapace longer than females, ranging from 4 to 7 inches.
Similar species
Name and etymology
Genus
Kinosternon
Greek for moving (kineo) breast (sternon), referencing ability to move lower shell.
Origin
Sources
- Spix, 1824. Testud. Brasil, p. 17
Kinosternon. Spix, 1824 - Testud. Brasil, p. 17
Species epithet
arizonense
Belonging to Arizona.
Origin
Sources
- Gilmore, 1922. Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., Vol. 62, Art. 5, p. 2 ↗
Kinosternon flavescens arizonense. Gilmore, 1922 - Proc. U. S. Natl. Mus., Vol. 62, Art. 5, p. 2
Explore more names in the etymology index.
At a glance
Range
Small range in the United States & Mexico, solely found in the states of Arizona & Sonora.
Habitat
Semi-aquatic. Found in seasonal ponds & temporary puddles during warm months. Burrows during colder months or in times of dro…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap