Common Musk Turtle - Sternotherus odoratus

Named for their distinctive musky secretions, the Common Musk Turtle - like others in their family - are highly aquatic reptiles that rarely leave the aqueous environment unless a heavy rain event or when nesting. The Common Musk Turtle differs from other musk turtles in that it will have two light stripes on its head as well as barbels on its chin AND throat.

Its carapace will be smooth and black or light olive brown - though it may have irredular streaked hinges. Males will present broad areas of soft sking between the scutes of the plastron. The tail will be thick and end in a blunt, horny nales. Females will only have a small area of skin present between plastral scutes, tail will be very small without the sharp nail found in males (Conant and Collins, 149-150).