Loggerhead musk turtle

The loggerhead musk turtle (Sternotherus minor) is a species of turtle in the family Kinosternidae. This turtle has a large head which has a light-colored background with dark spots or stripes present on the head and neck. The average size of an adult loggerhead musk turtle is about 3–5 in (7.6–12.7 cm) in straight carapace length.

Loggerhead musk turtle
Hatchling loggerhead musk turtle
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Family: Kinosternidae
Genus: Sternotherus
Species:
S. minor
Binomial name
Sternotherus minor
(Agassiz, 1857)
Synonyms
  • Goniochelys minor
    Agassiz, 1857
  • Aromochelys minor
    — Strauch, 1862
  • Sternotherus minor
    — Stejneger, 1923
  • Sternotherus carinatus minor
    — Carr, 1952
  • Sternotherus minor minor
    — Tinkle & Webb, 1955
  • Sternothaerus minor minor
    — Tinkle, 1958
  • Sternotheraerus minor minor
    — Wharton & Howard, 1971
  • Kinosternon minor
    — Iverson, Ernst, Gotte & Lovich, 1989
  • Kinosternon minor minor
    — Ernst & R. Barbour, 1989

The species is native to the southern United States, being found in rivers, wetlands, and streams in the states of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The diet of an adult loggerhead musk turtles consists mostly of clams and snails.

As of 2016 the conservation status of the loggerhead musk turtle is "Least Concern", and its common threats include habitat loss and human interactions such as car or boating accidents.

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