Why are stinkpot turtles named?
Male-biased sex ratios are observed consistently across populations. This species over-winters in the debris and mud under water. The name “stinkpot” is appropriately assigned due to phenolalkalinic acid excreted from glands that creates a pungent musky odor.
What is a stinking Jim?
The Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) is an aquatic turtle that is widely distributed across eastern North America. It gets both its common name and nicknames, “stinkpot” and “stinking Jim,” from the odoriferous musk it sometimes expels when handled.
What kind of turtle is a stinkpot turtle?
Common Musk Turtles also known as the Stinkpot or Eastern Musk Turtle ar often confused with the mud turtle. This video gives a great walkthrough of their characteristics and key differences between the two turtles.
How did the musk turtle get its name?
Bottom of a common musk turtle. It’s highly aquatic and stays mostly in waters or lakes, streams or ponds. It spends most of the time walking on swamps or marshes. It gets its name ‘musk’ or ‘stinkpot’ because it releases an orange colored musk that carries a heavily unpleasant scent that scares away its predators.
Are there musk turtles in the state of Iowa?
Moreover, the state of Iowa has also listed musk turtles as threatened species. In ranges of Canada, wetlands that have less human populations harbor great amounts of musk turtles. Common Musk Turtles also known as the Stinkpot or Eastern Musk Turtle ar often confused with the mud turtle.
Do you need a water filter for a stinkpot turtle?
A water filter compatible with shallow waters is needed to keep the turtle’s habitat clean. Without it, you would have to empty the tank to clean it too regularly. Stinkpots, because of their high-protein diet, can be messier than some other turtle species, so a strong filter system is recommended.
Common Musk Turtles also known as the Stinkpot or Eastern Musk Turtle ar often confused with the mud turtle. This video gives a great walkthrough of their characteristics and key differences between the two turtles.
Bottom of a common musk turtle. It’s highly aquatic and stays mostly in waters or lakes, streams or ponds. It spends most of the time walking on swamps or marshes. It gets its name ‘musk’ or ‘stinkpot’ because it releases an orange colored musk that carries a heavily unpleasant scent that scares away its predators.
Moreover, the state of Iowa has also listed musk turtles as threatened species. In ranges of Canada, wetlands that have less human populations harbor great amounts of musk turtles. Common Musk Turtles also known as the Stinkpot or Eastern Musk Turtle ar often confused with the mud turtle.
A water filter compatible with shallow waters is needed to keep the turtle’s habitat clean. Without it, you would have to empty the tank to clean it too regularly. Stinkpots, because of their high-protein diet, can be messier than some other turtle species, so a strong filter system is recommended.
