Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), or Stinkpot Turtle, is a small aquatic turtle well-known for its powerful musky odor. This large-headed, inconspicuous species inhabits slow-moving or still, shallow waters with a soft bottom, including ponds, lakes, creeks and rivers, and wooded swamps. Unlike its relative, the Eastern Mud Turtle, musk turtles do not tolerate brackish water. Eastern Musk Turtles are considered to be able climbers, and they will often venture onto overhanging trees or shrubs to bask (Conant & Collins, 1998). This turtle occurs across Maryland, and may be more abundant on the coastal plain (Maryland DNR).
There are 217 records in the project database.
GA | AL | WA | FR | CL | MO | HO | BA | BC | HA | CE | PG | AA | CV | CH | SM | KE | QA | CN | TA | DO | WI | SO | WO |