Family: Kinosternidae

Type of Shell: Hard, dome shell

Yellow Mud Turtles are found throughout Texas, except for East Texas. They are a fairly small turtle, that obtain a maxium size of 6 inches. Inhabitats almost any body of water. One of the specimen picture was found in the limestone creek of Austin, TX while the other was found in a mud bottom pond in Port Aransas, TX. Like other members of the family Kinosternidae, this species will musk when harrassed. The skin around the inframarginal scutes contain glands that expell musky scents to deter predators. The diet of this species contain both animal and plant matter.

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