Kinosternon

"Mud turtle" redirects here. For the African species, see Pelusios.
Kinosternon
Mississippi mud turtle
Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Suborder: Cryptodira
Superfamily: Kinosternoidea
Family: Kinosternidae
Genus: Kinosternon
Spix, 1824[1]

Kinosternon is a genus of small aquatic turtles from the Americas known commonly as mud turtles.

Geographic range

They are found in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America. The greatest species richness is in Mexico, and only three species (K. dunni, K. leucostomum, and K. scorpioides) are found in South America.

Description

They are very similar to the musk turtles, but generally smaller in size, and their carapaces are not as highly domed.

Diet

All mud turtles are carnivorous, consuming various aquatic invertebrates, fish, and even carrion.

Species

References

Bibliography
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