The Musk or Mud Turtles 



in the markings of the head. Generally speaking, it must be 

 explained that many of the species are very difficult to determine. 

 As a large series of specimens demonstrate that the characters 

 of the plastron are subject to considerable variations, it is pos- 

 sible that the present number of species will be condensed, 

 after further investigations. 



The student is advised to carefully examine the plastrons 

 (lower shells) of the species figured and to become familiar with 

 the distribution of these turtles. By working in this fashion 

 the determination of specimens is rendered systematic and the 

 detailed descriptions will impart their references in a thoroughly 

 comprehensive manner. 



All of the Cinosternida are thoroughly aquatic, frequenting 

 slow-running streams or muddy rivers, from which they seldom 

 venture. In such places they are admirably protected by their 

 dull, mud-coloured shells, which are often coated with moss. 

 These turtles exude a strong and musky odor when annoyed. 

 They are much disliked by persons who fish in fresh-water, 

 as they will greedily take a hook and perform such antics in the 

 water that the sportsman is often lead to anticipate that he 

 has captured a fish of prodigious size. When handled, they 

 snap and bite fiercely, and, in fact, represent in miniature the 

 actions of the formidable snapping turtle. 



TABULATED LIST OF THE NORTH AMERICAN MUD TURTLES 



I. Plastron very narrow; not protecting the fleshy parts. 



Genus Aromochelys. 



a. Yellow stripes on head; carapace of adult not 



keeled. 



Two yellow stripes on side of head, from snout, 

 above and beneath the eye to the neck. 



COMMON MUSK TURTLE, A. odOTdtuS. 



Distribution. Canada to Florida ; westward to Texas. 

 Two yellow stripes on side of head ; one from snout 



above eye to the neck; the other from above 



angle of jaw to the neck. 



SOUTHERN MUSK TURTLE, A. tristycld. 



Distribution. Georgia and Florida to Texas. 



b. Head spotted; carapace of the adult strongly keeled. 

 Head olive or gray, with round, black spots. 



KEELED MUSK TURTLE, A. carinatus. 

 Distribution. Georgia to Arizona, 

 II 



