Sternotherus minor minor

Loggerhead Musk

Florida distribution: central Florida north into panhandle. From Walton County west to Escambia County it intergrades with the Stripe-neck Musk Sternotherus minor peltifer.

Identification: up to 11.5 cm. Lacks the hinged plastron of the local Mud Turtles (Three-stripe Mud and Eastern Mud) and the head stripes of the Common Musk.

There is a possession limit of two. You are not allowed to buy, sell, or trade this species (i.e. no commercial activity) in Florida. Even if specimens originate from outside the state. 

Close up of adult male.

Side view.

Carapace.

Plastron.

This is a male. Compare the tail length, thickness, and cloacal opening to the photo after the next.

The pectoral scute is more squarish, whereas a Mud Turtle would be more triangular.

A female for comparison with the above male. Notice the size difference in the tails?

Comparison of Mud (Kinosternon) and Musk (Sternotherus) pectoral scutes.

Kinosternon baurii Three-striped Mud Turtle     Sternotherus m. minor Loggerhead Musk Turtle

Kinosternon subrubrum steindachneri Florida Mud     Sternotherus odoratus Common Musk