Photo by Jim Jung.All rights reserved.

Musk Turtles

March is a month that these little guys are especially cranky. The other months they're especially difficult are June, August, April, September, May, November, July and October.

Musk Turtles, also called Stinkjims, are small (between three and four inches in length) irascible, short-fused creatures who just want to be left alone. Ordinarily they prowl the bottom of just about any sized body of still or sluggish water and make their living preying on crayfish, insect larvae, tadpoles, carrion and the occasional ailing fish.

Occasionally encountered in the next few weeks after waking in the spring you can usually tell a newly emerged turtle by the thick coating of mud on its shell. The only other time they are regularly seen is in July when the females leave the water to find a suitable site for their nests. Most of the nests are located near the water in which they live and are often found under mats of dead vegetation near shore. The female deposits three to six small, leathery, spherical white eggs which, if not found by predators, hatch into miniature versions of their parents in September.

Though usually aquatic these turtles do leave the water on occasion and climb trees (!?) during the summer where they bask in the sun on broad limbs overhanging the water and where they often fall asleep. Passing fishermen who inadvertently awaken these sleeping sunbathers have been known to get an unpleasant knock on the head as the startled turtle bails for the water below.

Musk Turtles are named for the strong and unpleasant smelling musky scent they exude when handled or picked up. Anyone picking one up should also be aware that they also have long necks, sharp jaws and very short tempers. While the bite of a musk turtle is seldom serious it is painful so anyone handling these little guys should grasp them well toward the rear of their shell and out of reach of their jaws.

While interesting and important members of the communities they inhabit they make terrible pets. They foul their water rapidly and require frequent cleaning, they smell, and they never become friendly. Resentment is built into their nature. So if you're looking for a turtle to befriend, leave this one where you found it, they don't make friends and they don't want any.

Offsite Link:

• Musk Turtle page on Indiana University - Perdue University Fort Wayne's site.

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