Common Musk Turtle Care Sheet. By Kurt A. Buhlmann, Ph. Melissa Kaplan's Herp Care Collection Last updated January 1, 2014. Box Turtles ©1994 Melissa Kaplan. NATURAL HISTORY.
D. The common musk turtle does not get very large and can make a hardy pet for turtle enthusiasts. Photo by Ryan M. Bolton/Shutterstock. Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus). The common musk turtle is a member of the family Kinosternidae. It has a blackish- brown carapace that is highly domed with a vertebral keel. The keel tends to flatten out in adults, but is very prominent in hatchlings and juveniles. The plastron is reduced in size. The head of the common musk turtle typically has two distinct parallel yellow stripes that extend from the nose to the neck, though these may fade in older animals. Common musk turtles are found in both slow- flowing sections of stream and river habitats, as well as lakes and ponds. Also called the “stinkpot,” a common musk turtle may emit a foul smell from glands on the corners of the plastron that exude an orange- ish liquid. This usually occurs when a turtle is frightened or startled, and often declines in pets that receive frequent handling. It is recommended that you obtain captive- bred common musk turtles from a reputable reptile dealer, as wild turtles should not be removed from their native populations. Males are slightly larger than females. Common musk turtle hatchlings are the smallest North American turtle, being only slightly larger than a penny. Males are presumed to become sexually mature by 4 years of age, whereas females may take up to 1. A 4. 0- gallon tank can house a pair (and a Fluval 3. Plus underwater filter would be able to handle the filtration). Housing two male common musk turtles in the same tank is not recommended. Keeping one male and one female in a tank may require that the two be separated if the male shows excessive interest in the female and begins to relentlessly harass her. Though common musk turtles may not choose to leave the water, a floating dock or other haul- out area should be provided should they want to bask. The temperature in this hot spot should be about 9. Fahrenheit. A ceramic heat emitter in a metal dome clamp light can be used to raise the ambient air temperature in the enclosure to the mid- 8. From millions of real job salary data. 0 salary data. Average salary is Detailed starting salary, median salary, pay scale, bonus data report.FreshMarine.com - Discount Saltwater Fish one stop for all your live stock salt water marine fish and aquarium supply needs. DIET & FEEDING (Averill-Murray 2002) (Boarman 2002) (Bonin et al 2006) (Bury 1982) (Hansen et al 1976) (Jarchow et al 2002) (Marlow & Tollestrup 1982) (Murray 1997. Expert care for the common musk turtle. Common Musk Turtle Lighting and Temperature. As mentioned, common musk turtles do not always emerge from the water to bask. Keep lighting on a 1. A submersible heater should be used to maintain water temperature at 7. Bolton/Shutterstock. A frightened musk turtle may be inclined to nip a handler, so hold it near the rear of the carapace and be wary of the long neck. Hobbyists who want a more attractive, naturalistic turtle enclosure can use medium- sized gravel. They will also actively pursue small tadpoles and terrestrial insects that fall into the water. They will occasionally consume plant matter such as Elodea species or duckweed. Pet common musk turtles will eat earthworms, cut- up fish and shrimp, crickets and bloodworms. Keep your fingers toward the rear of the carapace to minimize the likelihood of a nip, but common musk turtles have long, flexible necks, so be careful. And remember the previously mentioned reason why this turtle is also called the stinkpot. Kurt Buhlmann is a conservation ecologist and research scientist with the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. He is active in the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) and Partners for Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC). Hobbyists with an interest in learning more about turtle husbandry and conservation are encouraged to join the Turtle Survival Alliance (www.
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