Reptiles of North Carolina
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NC Biodiversity Project
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
Family (Alpha):
ALLIGATORIDAE
ANGUIDAE
ANOLIDAE
CHELONIIDAE
CHELYDRIDAE
COLUBRIDAE
DERMOCHELYIDAE
ELAPIDAE
EMYDIDAE
GEKKONIDAE
KINOSTERNIDAE
MISCELLANEOUS
PHRYNOSOMATIDAE
SCINCIDAE
TEIIDAE
TRIONYCHIDAE
VIPERIDAE
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Kinosternidae Members:
Kinosternon baurii
Kinosternon subrubrum
Kinosternon unidentified species
Sternotherus odoratus
Sternotherus peltifer
NC
Records
Kinosternon baurii
- Striped Mud Turtle
Photo: K. Sanford
Photo: K. Sanford
Photo: K. Sanford
Taxonomy
Class:
Reptilia
Order:
Testudines
Family:
Kinosternidae
Taxonomic Comments:
Seven species of
Kinosternon
are currently recognized in North America north of Mexico (SSAR, 2016). Two of these species occur in North Carolina.
Species Comments:
This species is closely related to
K. subrubrum
, with which it occasionally hybridizes; no subspecies are recognized although Ernst and Lovich (2009) have raised the question as to whether
baurii
and
subrubrum
are merely subspecies of one another.
Identification
Basis for Records:
Good quality photographs of the head and shell of well-marked individuals are usually sufficient to identify the species. A photograph of the plastron will separate this species from the Musk Turtles.
Field Marks:
In this species, the skin is usually dark gray or blackish, with a yellowish line usually present on the front of the head, connecting the nostril to the orbit; a post orbital yellow stripe or stripes are also usually present (Palmer and Braswell 1995). The carapace also usually possesses a pale stripe or streaks. All of these marks are typically absent in the Eastern Mud Turtle but a pale stripe in front of the eye may be present in Eastern Musk Turtles (
Sternotherus odoratus
); in that species, however, there is often a yellow line beneath the eye and that species also differs in terms of its plastron, as described below.
Morphological Features:
Both species of Mud Turtles are recognizable by their hinged plastron and by the triangular shape of its pectoral scutes; in this species, the plastron can close up, similar to that of box turtles. In Musk Turtles, the pectoral scutes are rectangular or quadrangular (Palmer and Braswell, 1995); the plastron in that species also does not close (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). The carapace is narrow, elevated, and smooth. Males have larger and longer tails, with the vents located posterior to the rear edge of the shell. Maximum carapace lengths recorded in North Carolina are 4.4" (113 mm), females, and 3.9" (100 mm), males (Palmer and Braswell).
Technical Reference:
Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Lovich (2009)
Field Guide Descriptions:
Beane et al. (2010); Powell et al. (2016)
Online Photos:
Google
iNaturalist
GBIF
Distribution in North Carolina
Distribution Comments:
This species in nearly confined to the Coastal Plain in North Carolina, although there are a couple of records from just west of the Fall-line. At least a few records exist from the northern part of the Outer Banks.
Distribution Reference:
Palmer and Braswell (1995); NCMNS Herpetology Collection Database (accessed 2023-01)
County Map:
Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.
Key Habitat Requirements
Habitat:
Striped Mud Turtles occur in blackwater habitats in the Coastal Plain, including ponds, swamps, and streams, usually where cypresses are present (Palmer and Braswell, 1995; Beane et al., 2010). In Florida, studies have shown that small ponds, shallow swamps and ditches are preferred and rivers and large lakes avoided (Wygoda, 1979; Stemle, 2017). Terrestrial areas adjoining swamps and other wetlands are also important for this species, which -- like the Chicken Turtle -- spends significant amounts of time aestivating in areas away from water.
Adaptations to Natural Disturbances:
This species moves onto land when their aquatic habitats begin to dry out, possibly as a way of avoiding predation -- which becomes more concentrated when only a few small pools are left. The higher water temperatures that develop in as the pools become smaller and shallower may also become unsuitable for the survival of this species.
Biotic Relationships:
Striped Mud Turtles are omnivorous, feeding on fruits and seeds of some species of plants, as well as on a variety of invertebrates (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). Alligators are important predators of adults.
Life History and Autecology
Breeding and Courtship:
Males have been observed fighting over access to females (Wygoda, 1979; Ernst and Lovich, 2009).
Reproductive Mode:
Females become reproductively mature in five or six years (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). In south Florida, mating probably begins in late summer (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). Females can store sperm, however, and may lay several clutches per year. Nests are dug preferentially in sandy areas, often near clumps of herbaceous vegetation (Ernst and Lovich, 2009).
Terrestrial Life History:
In Florida, Striped Mud Turtles spend a large part of the year on land, especially when their aquatic habitat begin to dry out, and returning to ponds at the onset of the rainy season (Wygoda, 1979). Although they may aestivate during a portion of this time -- occupying shallow forms, similar to those used by Box Turtles -- they are also capable of feeding and mating on land (Wygoda, 1979; Ernst and Lovich, 2009). Wygoda found that terrestrial activity increased during rainy periods.
General Ecology
Population Ecology:
Striped Mud Turtles occupy home ranges but do not defend them as territories. Home ranges are similar in size between the sexes, with some tendency for those of the males to be larger (Stemle, 2017).
Adverse Environmental Impacts
Effects of Introduced Species/Induced Increases of Native Species:
Feral pigs appear to be important predators in parts of Florida (Stemle, 2017).
Interactions with Humans:
Nesting females, which often travel extensively overland to find suitable nesting sites, are particularly vulnerable to roadway mortality. This species, like other small turtles, is collected for the pet trade. The build-up of raccoon populations in urbanizing areas increases nest predation.
Status in North Carolina
NHP State Rank:
S3S4
Global Rank:
G5
Status in North Carolina:
W3
Environmental Threats:
As noted for K. bauri by Stemle (2017), the increase in temperatures associated with climate change may affect the sex ratio of this species, which, like other turtles, is dependent on temperatures within the nest. Rising temperatures favor the development of females and at some point males may become so scarce as to be a limiting factor.
Stewardship:
Preservation of both wetland complexes and adjoining terrestrial areas is critical for this species.
Photo Gallery for
Kinosternon baurii
- Striped Mud Turtle
6 photos are shown.
Recorded by: Hunter Phillips
Onslow Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Sanford
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Sanford
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Sanford
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Sanford
Gates Co.
Comment:
Recorded by: K. Sanford
Gates Co.
Comment:
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