Intermediate Musk Turtle

Sternotherus intermedius

Reptiles & AmphibiansIn the app

Sternotherus intermedius has a dark spotted head with some striping on the sides of the neck. It has single or paired gular scutes

Intermediate Musk Turtle illustration

How to identify

Sternotherus intermedius has a dark spotted head with some striping on the sides of the neck. It has single or paired gular scutes

Range

Sternotherus intermedius can be found in the greater Choctawhatchee and Escambia River drainages in southern Alabama and the Florida panhandle.

Habitat

Aquatic. Found in springs, streams, rivers, and other clean fresh bodies of water. Typically found underwater, on bottom, sometimes up to 20 feet deep. Occasionally can be seen basking on tree branches above water. Only terrestrial when nesting.

Similar species

Sternotherus intermedius was once grouped with S. peltifer and S. minor. It can be difficult to distinguish as its spotting and striping pattern falls inbetween S. peltifer and S. minor

Name and etymology

Intermedius: Latin for intermediate referencing it as a intermediate form between S. peltifer and S. minor.

At a glance

Range

Sternotherus intermedius can be found in the greater Choctawhatchee and Escambia River drainages in southern Alabama and the…

Habitat

Aquatic. Found in springs, streams, rivers, and other clean fresh bodies of water. Typically found underwater, on bottom, som…

Guide

Reptiles and Amphibians of North America

Range map

Range map for Intermediate Musk Turtle

Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap

Sources & further reading