musk turtle

Any of several small North and Central American freshwater turtles of the family Kinosternidae and especially the genus Sternotherus, which emit a strong-smelling secretion from musk glands when disturbed.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

musk turtle

(Animals) any of several small turtles of the genus Sternotherus, esp S. odoratus (common musk turtle or stinkpot), that emit a strong unpleasant odour: family Kinosternidae

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

musk′ tur`tle

any of several aquatic turtles of the genus Sternotherus, of North America, having a musky odor.

[1865–70, Amer.]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun

musk turtle - small freshwater turtle having a strong musky odor

stinkpot

mud turtle - bottom-dwelling freshwater turtle inhabiting muddy rivers of North America and Central America

genus Sternotherus, Sternotherus - musk turtles

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References in periodicals archive

of a musk turtle overturned and unable to right itself.

So, You Think I'm Afraid of You?

Also observed in decreasing abundance were Apalone spinifera (Spiny Softshell; 41), Graptemys geographica (Northern Map Turtle; 8), Chelydra serpentina (Common Snapping Turtle; 3), and Sternotherus minor (Loggerhead Musk Turtle; 1).

Surveys for the Alabama Map Turtle (Graptemys pulchra) in the Coosa River, Georgia

Razor-backed musk turtle (Stemotherus carinatus) diet across a gradient of invasion.

Diets of syntopic black-knobbed sawbacks (Graptemys nigrinoda) and Alabama map turtles (Graptemys pulchra) in the Alabama River

Washington, May 21 (ANI): Scientists have discovered that the common musk turtle possesses an extraordinary organ that allows it to breathe underwater and stay submerged for many months - a tiny tongue lined with specialised buds.

Turtles use 'super tongue' to survive underwater

Although not encountered, it is possible that the common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), and the Blanding's turtle (Emydoidea blandingii), a state threatened species, may also utilize these sites.

A survey of aquatic turtles at Kickapoo State Park and Middle Fork State Fish and Wildlife Area (MFSFWA)

However, significantly more turtles were observed within the lake, including the common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) and the spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera).

Distribution of Cagle's map turtle (Graptemys caglei) in the Blanco and San Marcos rivers

Also known as a "stinkpot," the common musk turtle has four musk-producing glands on the underside of the carapace margins, allowing it to emit a foul odor when disturbed.

Turtles of New York State

The stinkpot or common musk turtle, a largely nocturnal species found across much of the eastern United States, discharges a vile-smelling fluid that makes this highly aquatic species unpopular with sport fishermen when it grabs a baited hook and has to be reeled in.

Fast Decline of Slow SPECIES

Sternotherus odoratus--common musk turtle or stinkpot.

Activity, movements and activity area size in stinkpot turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) in a southwestern Michigan Lake

Five species were captured (in order of abundance) including the red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans), the painted turtle (Chrysemys picta), the common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus), the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina), and the spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera).

A three year survey of aquatic turtles in a riverside pond

Additional turtle species collected included the common musk turtle, Sternotherus odoratus; the log-gerhead musk turtle, Sternotherus minor; and the yellow-bellied slider; Trachemys scripta.

AMPHIBIAN, REPTILE AND SMALL MAMMAL DIVERSITY IN A LOWLAND HARDWOOD FOREST IN MARION COUNTY GEORGIA

Amateur herpetologists may consider volunteering to help the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, reporting sightings of smooth greensnake, eastern hog-nosed snake, eastern ribbonsnake, eastern musk turtle, spotted turtle, and northern leopard frog.

Flourishing waters among signs of the season