The Stinkpot Turtle: Not Just a Pretty Name
The stinkpot turtle is a relatively small turtle.
The stinkpot turtle is one of the smallest of the turtle family. It gets its name by the foul odor it releases to put off its predator. the scientific name for the turtle is sternotherus odoratus. It is not listed as a concern for conservation because of its distribution, and its large numbers. Although it is listed as threatened in Iowa.
Habitat
They are native to East United States, and South East Canada. They are fairly common as pets and are bred widely. They are found in aquatic landscapes, like lakes and ponds.
Appearance
The stinkpot turtle grows to about 8 – 14cm long. They have a dark brown to black shell with there skin being dark brown to black also. They have yellow stripes running from there head down to there neck. the males have larger heads and longer tales than the females. The turtle is the smallest of all of the turtle species.
Behavior
The males can be very aggressive and will bite if provoked. They tend to walk at the bottom of the water instead of swimming near the top due to them being at bigger risk from predators at the top of the water. They release a foul odor if they feel they are threatened, this will hopefully scare away their predators.
The stinkpot is an omnivore, they will generally feed on small insects, worms crayfish, plants, anything thing that they can find. The stinkpot make small nests under leaves or logs.they lay 1 – 9 eggs at a time, this is during February to June. An interesting fact is that the stinkpot malts under water rather than on land. They generally live for around 30 years but they can live for 50+ years.
I hope you liked the turtle!
Other articles you may enjoy:
The World’s Most Amazing Snakes
The World’s Most Amazing Snakes Two
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28 Responses to “The Stinkpot Turtle: Not Just a Pretty Name”
On February 20, 2009 at 9:16 am
I like it very much I didn’t know about this turtle. Great article, very well written and presented.
On February 20, 2009 at 9:19 am
Excellent piece. Turtle power!
On February 20, 2009 at 9:54 am
yeah sakuragi.. cowabunga!
On February 20, 2009 at 9:59 am
hi denus,
i’m exited to know this amazing turtle.
On February 20, 2009 at 10:13 am
Good work Denus,I liked their behaviour,its interesting males have aggressive behaviour.
On February 20, 2009 at 10:15 am
So–it stink—wonder how kids loved to get a stinky pet? eh?
On February 20, 2009 at 10:22 am
Thanks. Information that will become handy one day…!!! I think,
On February 20, 2009 at 10:40 am
With such a long life, they seem ideal as a pet. I’m so tired of my pets dying on me.
On February 20, 2009 at 12:50 pm
They may be stinky…but they sure are cute!
Great article, I learned a lot! BRILLIANT title!!
On February 20, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Great read Thanks
On February 20, 2009 at 7:20 pm
The most hilarious creature yet.
On February 20, 2009 at 7:55 pm
What a cute little guy! We have a lot of turtles around here, but I have never seen that one. Probably just as well-stinky. Hope it makes a come back-from a distance.
On February 20, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Interesting!
On February 20, 2009 at 11:06 pm
he is so cute!
On February 21, 2009 at 12:49 am
interesting! good work.
On February 21, 2009 at 4:33 am
Cool turtle!
On February 21, 2009 at 7:42 am
Good article, although animals are not my favorite subject and it seems to be very popular in Triond.
On February 21, 2009 at 6:46 pm
Interesting article, glad to see no spiders in sight!
On February 21, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Nature has its ways of protecting the meek…Even if it may mean foul odor as in this case…
On February 22, 2009 at 8:47 am
Very intersting articule.
On February 22, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Nice article.
On April 16, 2009 at 7:30 am
Good article. Turtles are interesting creatures.
On April 16, 2009 at 9:29 am
neat!
On April 16, 2009 at 12:12 pm
He is so cute!
On April 16, 2009 at 8:47 pm
I love cute animal!
On April 16, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Hey this is nicely done! I had never heard of this turtle before.
On April 17, 2009 at 9:22 am
Very cool article! I love turtles!
On April 19, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Very cool
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