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striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii)

Photos

Distribution Map

Characteristics

The striped mud turtle is an olive brown turtle approximately 7-12 cm in length. Maximum known carapace (upper shell) length in VA is 123mm. The shell is nearly black with three light stripes though these may be obscure in most turtles in Virginia. Plastron (lower shell) is between 63-116mm in length and is olive to mahogany in color, sometimes with a darker outline around the scutes. Skin is dark with 2 distinct light-colored stripes on each side of the head, one above and one below the tympanum ("ear"). The lower beak is slightly curved. Females ae slightly larger than males. Courtship and mating occurs in spring with nesting from July to early October. The female lays one to four eggs that hatch in three to four months. Striped mud turtles are active from March (late) through October in Virginia. They are aquatic turtles but spend a lot of time on land though they are not baskers. They forage by walking along the muddy bottom of the waterway looking for seeds from plants, insects, mollusks, and algae. They hibernate out of water buried under leaf litter in moist soil. They will try to bite when handled.

Distribution

This turtle is found on the coastal plain of Virginia as far north as the Middle Peninsula.

Foods

K. baurii is an omnivore, and eats leaves and plant seeds, algae, snails, insects, and dead fish.

More Information

For more information, please visit the Virginia Fish & Wildlife Information Service (direct link to species booklet).