REPTILIAN TUESDAY # 48

REPTILIAN TUESDAY #48

We’re going on a short road trip today to meet one cute but stinky reptile! These turtles inhabit our local area and we’ve even met a few on twitter! So let’s get on our hiking shoes and go looking for these great reptiles!

MEET THE STINKPOT!

   Range/Habitat: Southeastern United States/ wetlands, ponds

   Diet: Omnivore: plants, insects, mollusks

   Length: 3 ¼-5”

   Conservation Status: common

Fun Facts:

• Stinkpots are also known as the Common Musk Turtle.
• They expel a foul musk odor as a defense mechanism.
• Stinkpots spend most of the lives in water.
• They are often covered in algae.
• Stinkpot males have longer tails than females.
• They have barbells on their chin that help them find food.
• Stinkpots use their tongues to breathe underwater.

Stinkpots are such cute little turtles! So many animals use the defense of emitting a stinky smell, so it must work! The best part of these little turtles is their fun name- Stinkpots! Try saying it without smiling!