Sonora mud turtle facts for kids

The Sonora mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense), also called the Sonoyta mud turtle, is a type of turtle. It belongs to the Kinosternidae family, which includes many mud and musk turtles. You can find this turtle living in parts of Mexico and the United States.

Quick facts for kids Sonora mud turtle
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Kinosternon
Species:	sonoriense
Synonyms
Kinosternon sonoriense sonoriense Kinosternum sonoriense LeConte, 1854 Kinosternon sonoriense Gray, 1856 Cinosternum sonoriense Agassiz, 1857 Thyrosternum sonoriense Agassiz, 1857 Kinosternum henrici LeConte, 1860 Thyrosternum henrici Troschel, 1860 Cinosternon henrici Strauch, 1862 Cinosternon sonoriense Strauch, 1862 Thylosternum sonoriense Müller, 1865 Swanka henricii Gray, 1870 (ex errore) Cinosternum henrici Cope, 1875 Swanka henrici Boulenger, 1889 Kinosternon sonoriensis Bogert & Oliver, 1945 (ex errore) Kinosternon sonorensis Weise, 1962 (ex errore) Kinosternon seonoriense Berry & Shine, 1980 (ex errore) Kinosternon sonoriense sonoriense Iverson, 1981 Kinosternon sonorense sonorense Rogner, 1996 (ex errore) Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale Iverson, 1981 Kinosternon sonorense longifemorale Rogner, 1996

Where Sonora Mud Turtles Live

The Sonora mud turtle lives in different areas across North America. They prefer places with water, like rivers, streams, and ponds.

In Mexico

In Mexico, you can find these turtles in two states:

• Chihuahua
• Sonora

In the United States

In the United States, they are found in:

• Arizona
• New Mexico

Sadly, they used to live in California too, but they are no longer found there. This means they are extirpated from California, which is like a local extinction.

Types of Sonora Mud Turtles

Just like some dog breeds are all dogs but look a bit different, some animal species have different types called subspecies. Subspecies are groups within a species that have slight differences, often because they live in different areas. The Sonora mud turtle has two known subspecies:

• Sonora Mud Turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense sonoriense): This is the main subspecies. It was first described by a scientist named John Eatton Le Conte in 1854.
• Sonoyta Mud Turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale): This subspecies was identified later by a scientist named Iverson in 1981. It has some unique features that set it apart.