Florida Mud Turtle
Kinosternon steindachneri
A small turtle with a smooth, rounded, patternless carapace, a pointed snout with a hooked upper mandible, and a double-hinged plastron. It averages 3-4 inches in length,…
How to identify
A small turtle with a smooth, rounded, patternless carapace, a pointed snout with a hooked upper mandible, and a double-hinged plastron. It averages 3-4 inches in length, and its carapace is more drastically sloped at the front of its body, giving it a pear shape when viewed from the side. It can have streaking or mottling on its throat and neck, but the rest of its skin is dark grey and unmarked. Its plastron is yellow with brown striations, and its feet are webbed. It has a large head in comparison to its body size.
Range
Kinosternon steindachneri is found on the Florida peninsula.
Habitat
Found in and around rivers, lakes, ponds, and swamps with heavy vegetation. They prefer sandy or muddy areas around spring-fed water sources.
Similar species
Kinosternon steindachneri was once thought to be a subspecies of K. subrubrum. K. steindachneri has a ninth marginal scute that does not extend dorsally, and a first vertebral scute that does not contact the second marginal. K. steindachneri has a much smaller bridge than the K. subrubrum.
Name and etymology
Steindachneri: Honoring Franz Steindachner, Austrian zoologist.
At a glance
Range
Kinosternon steindachneri is found on the Florida peninsula.
Habitat
Found in and around rivers, lakes, ponds, and swamps with heavy vegetation. They prefer sandy or muddy areas around spring-fe…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap