News & Events

Species Spotlight! Common Musk Turtle!

May 15, 2023

What a little stinker! It’s Musk Turtle Monday!

Did you know that native Common (or Eastern) Musk Turtles find refuge in shallow wetlands on the grounds of our Turtle Survival Center in South Carolina? You can indirectly help them by donating to our Turtle Month campaign! Your support today will help ensure the longevity of the world-class facility that is the Turtle Survival Center and its grounds! https://give.turtlesurvival.org/2023-Turtle-Month-SM

Common name: Common (or Eastern) Musk Turtle

Scientific name: Sternotherus odoratus

Countries of origin: United States of America and Canada

Habitat: Wide variety of standing and flowing freshwater bodies including, lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers, swamps, and springs

Threats: Habitat destruction, fragmentation, and pollution; collection for the pet trade; road and railroad mortality; incidental bycatch on and in fishing gear

Wild Population: Stable; highly adaptable to man-made and altered waterbodies; in many areas it occurs in dense populations

Conservation: Protected in Canada; personal and commercial take regulated at the state level in the United States; field surveys and population monitoring; CITES Appendix II

Graphic: Jordan Gray

Turtle Photos: Licensed

**Turtle Survival Alliance strives to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please contact Jordan Gray at [email protected]**