Sternotherus odoratus

Sternotherus odoratus
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Family:	Kinosternidae
Subfamily:	Kinosterninae
Genus:	Sternotherus
Species:	S. odoratus
Binomial name
Sternotherus odoratus (Latreille in Sonnini & Latreille, 1801)
Synonyms
Testudo odorata Latreille, 1801 Testudo glutinata Daudin, 1801 Emys odorata – Schweigger, 1812 Emys glutinata – Merrem, 1820 Terrapene boscii Merrem, 1820 Terrapene odorata – Merrem, 1820 Cistuda odorata – Say, 1825 Sternotherus odorata – Gray, 1825 Sternothaerus boscii – Bell, 1825 Sternothaerus odoratus – Bell, 1825 Clemmys glutinata – Ritgen, 1828 Kinosternum odoratum – Bonaparte, 1830 Emys (Kinosternon) odoratum – Gray, 1831 Kinosternon odoratum – Gray, 1831 Didicla odorata – Rafinesque, 1832 Staurotypus odoratus – A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1835 Clemmys (Sternothaerus) odorata – Fitzinger, 1835 Cistudo odorata – LeConte, 1854 Kinosternum guttatum LeConte, 1854 Sternotherus odoratus – LeConte, 1854 Aromochelys odorata – Gray, 1856 Aromochelys odoratum – Gray, 1856 Cinosternum odoratum – Agassiz, 1857 Emys glutinosa Agassiz, 1857 Ozotheca odorata – Agassiz, 1857 Ozotheca tristycha Agassiz, 1857 Cinosternum guttatum – Agassiz, 1857 Testudo glutinosa – Agassiz, 1857 Aromochelys guttata – Strauch, 1862 Aromochelys tristycha – Strauch, 1862 Ozothea odorata – Velasco, 1892 Sternothoerus odoratus – , 1908 Sternotherus oderatus [sic] Dadd, 1974 (ex errore) Clemmys (Sternothaerus) odoratus – H.M. Smith & Smith, 1980 Kinosternon (Sternothaerus) odoratus – H.M. Smith & Smith, 1980 Armochelys odoratum – Zug, 1986 Sternotherus odouratus [sic] Herrel, 2002 (ex errore)

Sternotherus odoratus is a species of small turtle native to southeastern Canada and much of the Eastern United States. It is also known as the common musk turtle or stinkpot due to its ability to release a foul musky odor from scent glands on the edge of its shell, possibly to deter predation.

Stinkpots are small black, grey or brown turtles with highly domed shells. They grow to approximately 5.1–14 cm (2.0–5.5 in) and average in weight at 603 g (1.329 lb). They have long necks and rather short legs. The yellow lines on the neck are a good field marker, and often can be seen from above in swimming turtles. Males can usually be distinguished from females by their significantly longer tails and by the spike that protrudes at the end of the tail. The anal vent on the underside of the tail extends out beyond the plastron on males. Females are also typically larger than males. The head is vaguely triangular in shape, with a pointed snout and sharp beak, and yellow-green striping from the tip of the nose to the neck. Barbels are present on the chin and the throat. Their plastrons are relatively small, offering little protection for the legs, and have only one transverse, anterior hinge.Algae often grow on their carapaces. Their tiny tongues are covered in bud-like papillae that allow them to respire underwater.

Musk turtles are almost entirely aquatic, spending the vast majority of their time in shallow, heavily vegetated waters of slow moving creeks, or in ponds. They typically only venture onto land when the female lays her eggs, or in some cases, to bask. They can climb sloping, partially submerged tree trunks or branches to as much as 2 m (6.6 ft) above the water surface, and have been known to drop into boats or canoes passing underneath. Their defense mechanism is to excrete a musk scent from a small gland in their underside, hence the name musk turtle. This is used to scare away predators and natural enemies.

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Wikipedia