Sternotherus odoratus

Common Musk Turtle

Florida distribution: Entire state.

Identification: to 13.5 cm. Dark to black carapace. Weak to no hinge in front of plastron. Flesh exposed between plastral scutes. Square pectoral scute.

Sub-adult male.

The ultimate in turtle miniaturization; a hatchling Common Musk.

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