Overview
The musk turtle is a small freshwater turtle measuring just 3 to 5 inches long. It is known for its ability to release a foul musky odor from scent glands on the edge of its shell, earning the nickname stinkpot. These turtles inhabit slow-moving or still wetlands, ponds and streams and can tolerate low-oxygen waters better than many other turtles. Musk turtles may live more than 50 years and don’t reproduce until they’re at least 5 years old. Females lay just one to seven eggs in late spring or early summer that hatch after 60 to 90 days. Threats to musk turtles include habitat loss and degradation, as well as pollution, road mortality and illegal collection. While these turtles are generally considered widespread with stable populations, they’re primarily active at night, making them difficult to see.
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Geography
Watch for musk turtles in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.