Stinkpots are a black, grey or brown turtle with a highly domed shell. They grow to approximately 4 inches (10 cm) in length. They have long necks and rather short legs. Males can usually be distinguished from females by their significantly longer tails. Their heads are vaguely triangular in shape, with a pointed snout and sharp beak, and yellow-green striping from the tip of their nose to their neck. Algae often grows on their carapace. Musk turtles are almost entirely aquatic, spending the vast majority of their time in shallow, heavily vegetated waters of slow moving creeks, or in ponds. They typically only venture onto land when the female lays her eggs, or in some rare cases, to bask.
Their common names are derived from the scent glands located just under the rear of their shell, which allows them to release a foul musky odor to deter predation.
Their common names are derived from the scent glands located just under the rear of their shell, which allows them to release a foul musky odor to deter predation.
