Musk keeled turtle

The musky keeled reptile belongs to the silt family and the musk genus. The length of an adult can reach up to 12.5 centimeters. They have a brown-olive color - a keel runs through the center of the reptile, thanks to which the turtle got its name. The reptile's plastron is made in a yellow-brown, eye-catching color. There are dark spots on the head, while it itself is brown. There are warty growths on the lower part of the jaw of this species. Males are distinguished by a long tail, somewhat reminiscent of a claw. Females have a much shorter tail.

Turtles live in the USA. They prefer swampy areas with rivers and lakes that have a slow current and a uniform bottom. Such turtles are capable of not going up for a long time, while consuming oxygen dissolved in the liquid, which they consume through the oral cavity. The main delicacies of the reptile are aquatic plants, mollusks and crustaceans.

Reproduction

An animal becomes an adult when it is two years old. Mating time begins in mid-March and ends in June. Pregnancy in a female usually lasts about two months, after which the female does not dig a hole, as many reptiles do, but lays her offspring on the surface of the substrate. Up to 6 eggs can be present in one clutch, further incubation of which lasts from 3 to 4 months.

The turtle is capable of biting a person quite painfully, which is facilitated by sharp teeth and a long neck. This neck allows the turtle to reach its hind legs. In addition, the animal is able to emit a pungent odor thanks to a pair of musk glands. The advantage of these turtles is that they can be kept in groups without any problems. Conflicts between them will arise only during feeding. The dimensions of the aquarium required to keep this type of reptile are 50x70x50 cm. Liquid should occupy up to 90 percent of the bottom area, while the rest should remain above water.

The water level should be kept at 40-45 cm. You will rarely see turtles surfacing, as they will spend most of their time walking along its bottom. You should consider a high-quality water renewal system, because it will get dirty quite often. Experts advise replacing water every 2-3 days. Preference should be given to small aquarium filters, since large ones can cause some discomfort in reptiles during operation. A couple of times a week, new water should be added to the aquarium to replace the water that has evaporated. The ambient temperature should be between 22-25 degrees, while the room temperature should be kept at 25 degrees.

Nutrition

You can feed your turtle at home with special food: frozen bloodworms, shrimp and balanced dry food.

We can offer you bloodworm "Marlin aquarium"(http://marlin-shop.ru/product/zamorozhennye-korma-dlya-ryb/5860), special dry food for turtles "AQUAV Turtle stick"(http://marlin-shop.ru/product/zamorozhennye-korma-dlya-ryb1/5667).

Buy wisely

If you like the musk turtle, you can buy it from our online store. Do not forget that before making a purchase, you need to prepare the aquarium and all the conditions for the existence of the reptile.

Genus: Sternotherus Gray, 1825 = Musk turtles

There are two species in the genus, distributed in the southern and southeastern United States. One of the subspecies of the small musk turtle, S. minor depressus, is included in the IUCN Red List.

Musk turtles (genus Sternotherus) get their name from their strong musk odor; No wonder the locals call them stinkers. These are small freshwater turtles, 12–15 cm long, with a small oval plastron, the anterior lobe of which is movably connected to the main part. However, the range of movements of this part is very small, and the turtle cannot close the front opening with it, as do withdrawing turtles.

Lesser musk turtle Sternotherus minor depressus Tinkle et Webb, 1955

A small turtle, not exceeding 12 cm in length. The carapace is oval, in young individuals with three longitudinal ridges, which gradually disappear with age. The upper side of the shell is brownish-olive. On the sides of the head against a dark background there are light longitudinal stripes. Like other species of the genus, they emit a sharp musky odor.

Inhabits large rivers, lakes, permanent streams and dams in the southeastern United States, where it has a limited range, mainly in Georgia and Alabama. In a number of places, mixed populations of S. t. depressus and S. t. peltifer were found here.

Predator. Eats various aquatic invertebrates, mainly mollusks. In May - July, females lay three oblong eggs in a hard shell twice per season.

The systematic position of this turtle has not been definitively established; some experts consider it an independent species. Federally protected in Alabama. Included in the list of rare and endangered species of animals in the United States.

Common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) has an oval carapace, in young individuals - with three longitudinal ridges. Against the dirty brown background of the head and neck, light longitudinal stripes are clearly visible. Males differ from females by having a longer tail, a short plastron and spiny scales on the inner sides of the hind legs. The scales serve the male to hold the female during mating. It is curious that these scales were previously considered “chirping organs,” and in popular literature one can often find such an explanation of their function.

This turtle lives in a variety of bodies of water in the eastern and southeastern United States, and also penetrates into the extreme southeast of Canada. It leads an exclusively aquatic lifestyle, swims well, but most often wanders along the bottom of the reservoir in search of food. Its food consists of aquatic insects, mollusks, aquatic vegetation, as well as small fish. Willingly eats all kinds of carrion and is a good pond orderly.

Egg laying occurs from April to July. Usually the female digs a shallow hole and lays 2 to 7 eggs in it. The eggs are covered with a hard and brittle shell. However, often the female does not dig a nest, but places the eggs in some depression in the soil or simply leaves them on the surface. When caught, this turtle behaves belligerently, vigorously breaks out and bites painfully. In addition, for the purpose of protection, it secretes the secretion of musk glands located at the back and sides under the shell. When kept in captivity, the turtle's character changes: it becomes calm and peaceful. Life expectancy in captivity is up to 23 years.

Keeled musk turtle (Sternotherus carinatus)

Close view - keeled musk turtle S. carinatus (Gray, 1956), distributed in the southern United States from eastern Oklahoma and Texas east to Mississippi.

The keeled musk turtle (Sternotherus carinatus) differs from the previous species in its roof-shaped shell with a longitudinal keel in the middle. It is common in the southeastern United States, lives in marshy rivers and lakes and feeds on mollusks, crayfish and aquatic vegetation.

MUSK TURTLE (Sternotherus carinatus Gray, 1956) has an oval carapace, in young individuals - with three longitudinal ridges. Against the dirty brown background of the head and neck, light longitudinal stripes are clearly visible. Males differ from females by having a longer tail, a short plastron and spiny scales on the inner sides of the hind legs. The scales serve the male to hold the female during mating. It is curious that these scales were previously considered “chirping organs,” and in popular literature one can often find such an explanation of their function. This turtle lives in a variety of bodies of water in the eastern and southeastern United States, and also penetrates into the extreme southeast of Canada. It leads an exclusively aquatic lifestyle, swims well, but most often wanders along the bottom of the reservoir in search of food.

Its food consists of aquatic insects, mollusks, aquatic vegetation, as well as small fish. Willingly eats all kinds of carrion and is a good pond orderly. Egg laying occurs from April to July. Usually the female digs a shallow hole and lays 2 to 7 eggs in it. The eggs are covered with a hard and brittle shell. However, often the female does not dig a nest, but places the eggs in some depression in the soil or simply leaves them on the surface. When caught, this turtle behaves belligerently, vigorously breaks out and bites painfully. In addition, for the purpose of protection, it secretes the secretion of musk glands located at the back and sides under the shell. When kept in captivity, the turtle's character changes: it becomes calm and peaceful. Life expectancy in captivity is up to 23 years.

"Stinky" or "Smelly Jim" - these unflattering names belong to one of the smallest turtles living on the North American continent. When in danger, the musk turtle releases a viscous secretion with a pungent odor.

Description of the musk turtle

The reptile belongs to the genus Muscovy (Sternotherus/Kinosternon) and represents the family Mud turtles (Kinosternidae). The latter, with varying morphologies, have one common feature - a powerful large head with “steel” jaws that easily crush the shells of small mollusks.

Important! The musky turtle is distinguished from other turtles on the planet by a characteristic detail of its exterior - chains of growths on the skin (along the throat and neck), reminiscent of papillomas. Other species do not have warts.

In addition, the reptile belongs to the suborder Hidden-necked turtles, the name of which is given by the way it retracts its head into the carapace: the musk turtle folds its neck in the shape of the Latin letter “S”.

Appearance

The extremely long neck is another nuance that sets the musk turtle apart from others. Thanks to the neck, the reptile reaches its hind legs without difficulty or any damage to the body. These are miniature turtles the size of a palm, rarely growing up to 16 cm. Adults (depending on the variety) reach an average length of 10–14 cm. The genus of musk turtles is divided into 4 species (some biologists speak of three), each of which fits into own dimensions:

• common musk turtle – 7.5–12.5 cm;
• keeled musk turtle – 7.5–15 cm;
• small musk turtle – 7.5–12.5 cm;
• Sternotherus depressus – 7.5–11 cm.

The dominant background of the oval shell is dark brown, diluted with olive-colored spots. In a natural body of water, the carapace becomes overgrown with algae and becomes noticeably darker. The tone of the abdominal shield is much lighter - beige or light olive. In young turtles, the upper shell is equipped with three ridges, which disappear as they grow older. Whitish stripes stretch along the head/neck of adult reptiles.

The musk turtle's tongue (naturally small and weak) is structured in a rather original way - it is practically not involved in swallowing, but is involved in the breathing process. Thanks to the tubercles located on the tongue, reptiles absorb oxygen directly from the water, which allows them to sit in the pond without getting out. In young turtles, sexual dimorphism is smoothed out, which is why male and female individuals are practically indistinguishable. And only with the onset of fertility does the male’s tail begin to noticeably elongate, and spiny scales form on the inner surfaces of the hind legs.

This is interesting! These scales, which facilitate coupling with a partner during sexual intercourse, are called “chirp organs.” The name is due to the chirping sounds (arising from friction), similar to the singing of crickets or birds.

The limbs of the musk turtle, although long, are thin: they end in clawed paws with wide membranes.

Lifestyle

In the musk turtle it is associated with the water element - the reptile crawls onto the shore to lay eggs or during prolonged rainfalls. are good swimmers, but most of all they love to wander along the bottom in search of suitable food. Increased vigor is demonstrated in the dark, at twilight and at night. Males are distinguished by a quarrelsome disposition, which also manifests itself in relation to their relatives (it is for this reason that they are seated in different aquariums).

In addition, in captivity they quickly panic, especially at first, until they get used to the new environment and people. It is at this moment that musk turtles use their destructive weapon more often than usual - an odorous yellowish secretion produced by 2 pairs of musk glands hidden under the shell.

This is interesting! Under natural conditions, reptiles like to expose their sides to the sun, for which they not only go out onto land, but also climb trees, using branches bent over the water surface.

In warm regions with ice-free water bodies, animals are active all year round, otherwise they go to winter. Musk turtles wait out the winter cold in shelters such as:

• crevices;
• space under stones;
• roots of uprooted trees;
• driftwood;
• muddy bottom.

Reptiles know how to dig holes and do this when the water temperature drops to 10°C. If a pond freezes, reptiles burrow into the thick snow. They often winter in groups.

Lifespan

It is not known for certain how long the musk turtle lives in the wild, but the lifespan of this species in captivity is approximately 20–25 years.

Range, habitats

The musk turtle has settled in the eastern and southeastern United States, in the southeastern regions of Canada, and even in the Chihuahuan Desert (Mexico). On the North American continent, reptiles are distributed from New England and southern Ontario to southern Florida. Westward, the range extends into Central/West Texas and Kansas.

Favorite habitats are standing and slowly flowing freshwater bodies of water (with shallow depth and silted bottom). In the southern territories of their range, turtles are active all year round, while in the northern territories they hibernate.

Musk turtle diet

Musk turtles are omnivores and will sweep away almost anything that lies on the bottom, which they explore day and night. Growing reptiles eat, as a rule, aquatic plants and insects, and in rare cases, their comrades.

The diet of adult animals consists of the following components:

• shellfish, especially snails;
• vegetation;
• fish;
• centipedes;
• aquatic worms;
• carrion.

Due to the fact that reptiles do not disdain carrion, they are called orderlies of reservoirs.

In captivity, the musk turtle menu changes somewhat and is usually composed of the following products:

• crustaceans;
• fish fry;
• boiled chicken;
• plants – duckweed, lettuce, clover, dandelions;
• calcium and vitamin supplements.

A musk turtle should not be placed in an aquarium together with ornamental fish - otherwise it will eat them.

Natural enemies

All turtles have strong armor, but, oddly enough, it does not guarantee their complete safety - the threat comes from a considerable number of enemies living in water and on land. The biggest blame for the extermination of reptiles lies with people who hunt turtles for their eggs, meat, beautiful shells, and sometimes just out of boredom.

Beasts of Prey

Wild big cats and foxes have become adept at splitting strong carapaces, throwing turtles from a height onto rocks. The jaguar, for example, so carefully (according to eyewitnesses) removes the reptile from its shell, as if it were wielding a thin sharp blade rather than claws. At the same time, the predator is rarely satisfied with one turtle, but immediately turns several on its back, choosing a flat (without vegetation) area. On such a cutting board, the reptile cannot catch on anything, stand up and crawl away.

Feathered predators

Large birds lift musk turtles into the sky and drop them onto rocks to peck the contents out of their cracked shells. Even crows prey on small reptiles, which should be taken into account when keeping turtles outdoors. It is better to cover the enclosure with a net or keep an eye on the pet when it crawls out to bask.

Turtles

Reptiles are prone to cannibalism and often attack weaker, younger or sick relatives. It is not surprising that musk turtles (with a lack of food or from an excess of aggression) attack their fellow tribesmen, leaving the latter without a tail, paws and... without a head.

Predatory fish

These natural ill-wishers threaten little turtles after they are born.

Important! If you keep your musk turtle indoors, try to keep it away from other four-legged pets, especially rats and dogs. The latter can bite through the shell, and the former can gnaw off the turtle's paws and tail.

Weakened and sick musk turtles turn into easy prey for small beetles and ants, which thoroughly bite off the soft parts of the turtle’s body in a short time. In addition, reptiles are plagued by other scourges, including parasites, fungi, helminths and viruses.

Musk turtle the tiniest and most charming of all freshwater bodies of water. But it’s not just its size that makes it stand out. Due to the peculiar musky odor that it produces from its glands, it is nicknamed “Stinking Jim”, but this does not stop it from being one of the most popular pet reptiles.

Its total length is no more than 16 cm. And then if we are talking about keeled musk turtle, the common species does not grow more than 14. The upper shell is oval in shape; young animals have three ridges on it, which disappear over the years and the shield itself becomes smooth.

The color of the shell is brownish with a slight olive tint, but when overgrown with algae, it becomes dirty brown. The ventral shield is pale pink or beige. Light stripes appear along the head and neck.

This can be seen on musk turtle photo. Females are slightly smaller in size than males and differ in their tail. They have it narrow, shortened and without a thorn at the end. But they have “chirp organs.”

This is the name given to the spiny scales that are located on the inside of the hind legs. They help the male hold the female during intercourse. When friction occurs, chirping sounds are heard, similar to birds singing or.

Musk turtles are distinguished from other turtles by their incredibly long necks. They can reach their hind legs with it without hurting themselves. Their legs themselves are also long, but thin. Between the claws there are membranes similar to flippers.

To distinguish a common turtle from any other species, you need to look at its throat and neck. If there are small growths that resemble warts, then you have a common musk turtle. They are absent in individuals of other species.

Musk turtles may not come ashore for days. With the help of special tubercles on the tongue, they absorb oxygen directly from the water or breathe through the skin. The tongue itself is very small and weak, and is almost not involved in the process of swallowing food.

Musk turtles live in fresh water bodies of the United States in the southeast of the country, and several species can be found in Canada. Their habitat is small and they prefer small bodies of water with a soft muddy bottom.

Character and lifestyle of the musk turtle

These small turtles are quite militant. They can bite painfully, break free, and secrete a strong-smelling secretion when trying to catch them. They do not need company on their own, but they treat their relatives calmly and do not attack.

The turtle spends most of its time in the water, moving slowly along the bottom, although it swims well. It can be seen infrequently on the shore: at the time of laying eggs or heavy rain.

In the sun it likes to expose its back to the rays, and sometimes it can climb fairly tall trees on branches hanging over the water. Musk turtles are most active at dusk and at night.

If the body of water in which the reptile lives is warm, then it is energetic all year round. And if not, then he goes to spend the winter. In this case, the turtle climbs into a hole or crevice in the stones, or it can simply bury itself in the muddy bottom. If the water freezes, it uses snow as a shelter.

At home character musk turtle become more flexible. Therefore, keeping such a pet is not difficult. You need to pour water into the aquarium, put stones and branches on the bottom and do not forget about a small island of land with a house where the reptile can rest or lay eggs.

The main thing you should pay attention to is installing a good water filter. Musk turtles are very dirty and will require constant cleaning. But you don’t need to buy a UV lamp; you don’t need the sun’s rays.

Samu musk turtle Can buy at your nearest pet store. In the first days, it is better not to pick her up, but to let her get comfortable and get used to her owner. In Europe, some breeders of these reptiles release them to swim in their backyard ponds in the summer; this has a positive effect on the health of the turtles.

If you want a large aquarium, then it’s good to keep them in groups. The main thing is that there is enough space for everyone and there is no competition when eating. When the sexual instinct awakens in males, everything happens quite peacefully.

It is gentle and does not harm the female. Musk turtle- that's quite cute homemade a creation that requires a minimum of costs and will delight you with its fun games.

Nutrition of the musk turtle

Musk turtles are not picky eaters and are omnivores. Young animals eat mainly insects and aquatic vegetation; there are also cases of cannibalism in babies.

Adults move along the bottom and, like vacuum cleaners, eat almost everything that comes their way: centipedes, and even carrion. They were deservedly awarded the title of reservoir orderly.

Therefore, when keeping a musk turtle at home, there is no need to combine it with aquarium ones, she will simply eat them. It is better, knowing about their sloppiness, to teach them to eat carefully. To do this, you need to hang pieces of food on special needles and offer them. Turtles are very smart and will quickly figure out what to do about it.

Feed musk turtle in captivity with the right care Recommended for fish fry, crustaceans, boiled chicken. From plant food it can be clover, lettuce or dandelions; their favorite delicacy is duckweed. Be sure to include calcium and vitamins in your diet.

Reproduction and lifespan of the musk turtle

Life expectancy in captivity is about 20 years. Sexual maturity of males and females occurs when they reach a certain size of the carapace (upper shell).

The mating season begins with the onset of warm weather and lasts several months. It usually falls in April-June. Courtship does not last long in a calm atmosphere, and mating itself occurs under water and lasts quite a long time, reaching up to a day.

Afterwards, the female comes ashore and lays fertilized eggs. She herself digs a hole very rarely, more often she uses depressions in the sand or other people's nests, or even simply leaves them on the surface.

There can be up to seven eggs, they are oblong and in shell. The sizes are small - up to 33 mm in length. The color of the shell at the beginning is soft pink, but over time it changes to the usual white.

The duration of the incubation period ranges from 61-110 days, and the temperature should not be lower than 25°C. The most amazing thing is that, before hatching, turtles can already secrete a musky secretion.

If eggs are laid in the water in an aquarium, you must get them out, otherwise they will die. Little ones grow up very quickly and immediately become independent.

Musk turtles reproduce well and quickly, because eggs are laid two or even four times per season. Therefore, this species is not threatened.