Mexican musk turtle facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mexican musk turtle
Staurotypus triporcatus
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 2.3)
CITES Appendix II (CITES)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Staurotypus
Species:	triporcatus
Synonyms
Terrapene triporcata Wiegmann, 1828 Staurotypus triporcatus — Wagler, 1830 Emys (Kinosternon) triporcata — Gray, 1831 Kinosternon triporcatum — Gray, 1831 Clemmys (Staurotypus) triporcata — Fitzinger, 1835 Claudius pictus Cope, 1872 Staurotipus triporcatus — Sumichrast, 1882 Staurotypus triporeatus Thatcher, 1963 (ex errore) Clemmys (Staurotypus) triporcatus — H.M. Smith & R.B. Smith, 1980 Staurotipus triporcatus Ippi & Flores, 2001 (ex errore)

The Mexican musk turtle (Staurotypus triporcatus), also known commonly as the giant musk turtle, is a species of turtle in the family Kinosternidae. The species occurs in Central America and Mexico.

Geographic range

S. triporcatus is found in Belize, northeastern Guatemala, western Honduras, and Mexico. In Mexico it is found in the Mexican states of Campeche, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, and Veracruz.

Description

S. triporcatus is typically much larger than other species of Kinosternidae, attaining a straight carapace length of up to 36 cm (14 in), with males being significantly smaller than females. It is typically brown, black, or green in color, with a yellow underside. The carapace is distinguished by three distinct ridges, or keels, which run the length.

S. triporcatus exhibits XX/XY sex determination, in contrast to the temperature-dependent sex determination of most turtles.

Diet

Like other musk turtle species, S. triporcatus is carnivorous, eating various types of aquatic invertebrates, as well as fish and carrion..