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Kinosternidae

Mud and musk turtles are a family of about 23 species of turtles, all of which are found in North and South America. When they are handled these turtles release a foul smelling, musky odor - which gives them their common name. They are found mainly in slow-moving bodies of water with lots of vegetation. They are all carnivorous, eating crustaceans, aquatic insects, molluscs, annelid worms, amphibians, and small fish.

Contributors

Tanya Dewey (author), Animal Diversity Web.

 
University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyNational Science Foundation

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Dewey, T. . "Kinosternidae" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed April 25, 2024 at http://www.biokids.umich.edu/accounts/Kinosternidae/

BioKIDS is sponsored in part by the Interagency Education Research Initiative. It is a partnership of the University of Michigan School of Education, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, and the Detroit Public Schools. This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant DRL-0628151.
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