Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum)

Photos by J.D. Willson unless otherwise noted

The eastern mud turtle is similar in appearance to the striped mud turtle, except it lacks any prominent striping on its head. The eastern mud turtle appears to have more general habitat requirements than the striped mud turtle, although the two species may occur in the same habitat. Female eastern mud turtles may nest two or three times a year during the spring and summer, often spending several days on land during each nesting event. Although hatchlings will emerge from their eggs in late summer, they remain buried underground until the following spring. Most adults also bury themselves on land in the fall and return to a wetland in the spring. Eastern mud turtles are ubiquitous in the Southeast being found in most still-water habitats.