Razor-Backed Musk Turtle

Range

The range of the razor-backed musk turtle is the Sounthern United States which includes the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Florida.

Habitats

The razor-backed musk turtle spends most of its time in shallow aquatic water, creeks, ponds or streams that are heavily vegetated. It is found only on land during periods when the females lay eggs. Sternotherus Carinatus feeds on aquatic invertebrates, crayfish, snails and various insects, fish and carrion.

Identification

With a brown-colored hard shell on its back accompanied by black markings at the edges of each sides of the external plate, the razor-backed musk turtle grows to a length of about 5.9 inches. Its carapace is distinct and a scute with a sharp keep right through the center of its length. It had a grey-brown body and head with black spotting. Another feature of the Sternotherus Carinatus is the long neck with sharp beak and short legs. The females usually possess shorter tails than the males. This species has a small plastron and a single hinge located at the anterior. It is known to lack guilar scute with barbel present only on its chin.

Learn more with Schechter Natural History's Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians