- Eastern mud turtle
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Eastern mud turtle 
Kinosternon subrubrum Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: Kinosternidae Genus: Kinosternon Species: K. subrubum Binomial name Kinosternon subrubrum[1]
(Bonnaterre, 1789)[1]Synonyms - Testudo subrubra Lacépède, 1788 (nomen rejectum)
- Testudo subrubra Bonnaterre, 1789
The eastern mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum) or common mud turtle[1] is a common species of turtle found in the United States.
Contents
Appearance
The eastern mud turtle is a small and often hard to identify species. It measures 3-4 inches in length. The carapace is keelless, lacks any pattern, and varies in color from yellowish to black. The plastron is large and double hinged, and can be yellowish to brown, and may sometimes have a dark pattern. The chin and throat are a yellowish grey, streaked and mottled with brown, while the limbs and tail are grayish. The eye, or iris, of the eastern mud turtle is yellow with dark clouding, and its feet are webbed.
Distribution
Eastern mud turtles are found in the US states of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.[1]
Subspecies
- Kinosternon subrubrum subrubrum (Type species) - Eastern mud turtle[1]
- Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrpis - Mississippi mud turtle[1]
- Kinosternon subrubrum steindachneri - Florida mud turtle[1]
Ecology
Eastern mud turtles dwell in ponds and other freshwater habitats. They feed mainly on insects and small fish. Raccoons are known to eat this species' eggs, while herons and alligators often hunt the adults.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Rhodin, Anders G.J.; van Dijk, Peter Paul; Inverson, John B.; Shaffer, H. Bradley (2010-12-14). "Turtles of the world, 2010 update: Annotated checklist of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution and conservation status". Chelonian Research Monographs 5: 000.98. Archived from the original on 2010-12-15. http://www.webcitation.org/5uzfktoIh.
External links
- Eastern mud turtle - Kinosternon subrubrum Species account from the Towson University Reptiles of Maryland Web Page
Kinosternidae family of turtles Genus Species of the Kinosterninae subfamilyKinosternon Alamos mud turtle · Arizona mud turtle · Central American mud turtle · Creaser's mud turtle · Dunn's mud turtle · Durango mud turtle · Eastern mud turtle · Herrara's mud turtle · Jalisco mud turtle · Mexican mud turtle · Mexican plateau mud turtle · Oaxaca mud turtle · Scorpion mud turtle · Sonora mud turtle · Striped mud turtle · Tabasco mud turtle · White-lipped mud turtle · Yellow mud turtleSternotherus Genus Species of the Staurotypinae subfamilyClaudius Staurotypus Phylogenetic arrangement of turtles based on turtles of the world 2010 update: annotated checklist of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution and conservation status.Order Testudines (turtles) Suborder SuperfamilySubfamily
Cryptodira Chelydra · MacrochelysCaretta · Chelonia · Eretmochelys · Lepidochelys · NatatorDermochelysDermatemydidaeDermatemysStaurotypinaeClaudius · StaurotypusBatagur · Cuora · Cyclemys · Geoclemys · Geoemyda · Hardella · Heosemys · Leucocephalon · Malayemys · Mauremys · Melanochelys · Morenia · Notochelys · Orlitia · Pangshura · Rhinoclemmys · Sacalia · Siebenrockiella · VijayachelysAldabrachelys · Astrochelys · Chelonoidis · Chersina · Cylindraspis · Geochelone · Gopherus · Homopus · Indotestudo · Kinixys · Malacochersus · Manouria · Psammobates · Pyxis · Stigmochelys · TestudoTrionychiaCarettochelyidaeCarettochelysTrionychinaePleurodira ChelidinaeChelodininaeHydromedusinaePelomedusa · PelusiosPhylogenetic arrangement based on turtles of the world 2010 update: annotated checklist. Extinct turtles not included.
See also List of Testudines families
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WikiProjectCategories:- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Kinosternon
- Turtle stubs
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