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ReptileFreshwaterSemi-aquaticEasy
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Razor-backed Musk Turtle
Sternotherus carinatus
The 'Razor-backed Musk Turtle'. The most prehistoric and peculiar of North American mini-turtles (6 inches). Easily recognizable by its hyper-acuminate roof-shaped shell (a razor keel on top of the back) and lively but deeply aquatic temperament. As the name suggests, if disturbed it sprays a pestilential musk odor. Ideal for small apartment aquariums being adorably pocket-sized.
Class:Testudines
Order:Testudines
Family:Kinosternidae
Subfamily:Kinosterninae
Genus:Sternotherus
Species:Sternotherus carinatus
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Water Temperature
20 - 28 °C
Environment
Freshwater / Semi-aquatic
Humidity
80 - 100 %
Day temperature
24 - 28 °C
Night temperature
20 - 24 °C
Adult size
15 cm
UVB
Medium
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Slow streams, swamps dense with wedged branches and muddy lakes of the Mississippi River basin.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Kinosternidae (North American mud turtles). Exaggerated cousin of the common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus). Its plastron is very reduced and leaves much of the soft flesh exposed, making it vulnerable, which is why it furiously defends its body with the malodorous liquid.
Behavior and Habits: Miniature submarine mountaineers. Although almost 100% aquatic, they are ungraceful swimmers (they walk heavily on the bottom collecting food or climb on woods to get to the surface of the water). They rarely come to the surface for long baskings (they are content to stick out their pointed head and smell the air or sleep hanging from a log).
Morphology: Keeled pocket monsters (Only 5-6 inches / 12-15 cm). Pale gray-brown shell painted with spectacular blackish 'cobwebs' and dots (Especially beautiful in neonates). The unique feature is the slope of the spine: it forms a formidable 'Sloping roof' ('Razor-back'). Males with giant big heads and very stubby hooked tails.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: DEEP AQUATERRARIUMS WITH INTRICATE BRANCHES (A 30x16 inches is enough, excellent for those with little space). They demand filtered waters but weak in current. Put tons of submerged logs (Bogwood) wedged vertically: they will love to climb them to emerge without tiring themselves swimming. Small cork dry area (Floating dock).
Lighting and Heating: Light basking at 86°F (30°C) (Don't stress if they never come out to sunbathe). MILD WATER AT 75-79°F (24-26°C). 5% UVB radiation on the water (fundamental for bones). They hate very hot tropical water: at 75°F (24°C) they are perfect.
Humidity and Hydration: 100% Aquatic (70-90% atmospheric).
Feeding and Supplementation: Snail Meat Grinders. Benthic predators (eat on the bottom). In nature they sift the gravel looking for larvae, snails, crayfish. In captivity they devour thawed whole minnows (Silversides/Guppies), carnivore pellets and gutted crickets. No vegetables and no pork/beef meat.
Compatibility: Hyper-Defensive with the owner, docile in the tank. Handle them as little as possible: they wriggle their powerful jaws trying to bite off a finger in panic and 'spray' malodorous musky urine all over the living room. Excellent coexistence in large groups (if space permits).
Health and Common Diseases: Decay from drowning or starvation if placed in tanks of giant Trachemys without rocks, and if the water is fetid, the bacteria dig lethal craters (Shell-rot) in the beautiful keeled carapace.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Slow streams, swamps dense with wedged branches and muddy lakes of the Mississippi River basin.
Origin
North AmericaEast Asia
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 15 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 15 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 15 cm for this species, recorded as straight carapace length (SCL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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