Variety Overview
English Name: Eastern Mud Turtle
Alias: Helmeted Mud Turtle
Origin: Americas
Price:$41.47 to $82.77
Size: 7.5~10 cm
Morphological Features and Identification
The Eastern Mud Turtle measures only about 3 to 4 inches in length (approximately 7.5 to 10 cm). Its head is marked with distinct spots or patterns, generally fewer in number, and typically brown in color—unlike the Mississippi Mud Turtle which has two thin stripes on its face. The carapace of the Eastern Mud Turtle is usually dark brown or yellow, sometimes even completely black. It is smooth without a keel or any patterns, composed of 11 scutes. The plastron is brown or tan with two independent hinged scutes at its front and rear ends. The chin and throat are yellowish-gray with brown stripes and spots; limbs and tail are gray; eyes have black pupils with yellow irises; limbs feature webbed feet. Male turtles can be distinguished by sharper and longer spines at the tips of their tails and rough scale-like markings on the inner sides of their hind legs.
Maintenance Tips
When raising Eastern Mud Turtles in captivity, it’s important not to house them together with musk turtles because musk turtles typically require deeper water levels. Additionally, make sure to include a land area for their activities when setting up their environment. However, during winter heating periods, it’s advisable to remove the land area to prevent them from experiencing temperature fluctuations. Like most mud turtles, Eastern Mud Turtles are quite aggressive and combative. The Razorback Musk Turtle might be an exception. Hence, it’s not recommended to keep them with many other turtle species in confined spaces.
Breeding Information
Eastern Mud Turtles (Kinosternon subrubrum) typically mate and reproduce after their hibernation period, which falls between April and May. In June, female turtles start digging nests and laying their eggs. These nests are generally about 7.5 to 12.5 cm deep. The nests are often found at the edges of crop fields or in sandy soils. Each nest usually holds between one to six elliptical eggs with fragile shells. Under optimal weather conditions, a female turtle can lay up to three clutches of eggs per year; however, due to climatic conditions in New York State, they can only lay one clutch annually. The incubation period lasts around 76 days, with some eggs even spending the winter in the nest. Mud turtles sometimes use burrows made by muskrats or beavers for nesting purposes as well. Female turtles reach sexual maturity between four and seven years old, while males mature between five and eight years old; however, male turtles in New York take longer, maturing at eight to eleven years old.