Yellow Mud Turtle

Yellow Mud Turtle

Scientific Name: Kinosternon flavescens
Family: Kinosternidae

Description and Size

  • Smooth upper shell (carapace)
  • Moderately rounded carapace
  • Two hinges on the lower shell (plastron)
  • Shell length: 8.2-17.8 cm (3.2-7.0 in)
  • Carapace color: olive to yellowish-brown
  • Plastron color: yellow
  • Skin color: yellow, green, or grey

Habitat

  • Short and mixed-grass prairies
  • Any slow moving body of water with the above habitats
  • Muddy, sandy substrate

Diet

  • Manly carnivorous
  • Aquatic invertebrates
  • Fish
  • Amphibian larvae
  • Some plant material

Life History

  • Diurnal
  • Active season: April – October
  • Breeding season: April
  • Lays eggs
  • 1-10 eggs per female

Range

Yellow Mud Turtle

Most common range within the last 50 years and does not include outliers. For more info email dferraro1@unl.edu.