Conservation Status: Protected (FWCA); Threatened (SARA; COSEWIC)

Size: 13 cm (5”)

Defining feature(s): Musk turtles have a distinctive elongated dome shaped carapace.  The head is relatively large with distinctive tubercles on the neck and the plastron is hinged.  When handled, they emit a very foul smelling musky odour (hence the name oderatus).

Other features: Musk turtles may have two light stripes running along the head to the neck.  Some individuals lack these distinctive stripes.

Habitat: This species prefers slow moving water but may be found in lakes, streams rivers and even roadside ditches.  They do not swim well and prefer to walk along the bottom in search of prey.  Musk turtles warm up by moving into shallow warmer water rather than emerging to rest in direct sunlight.

Reproduction: Musk turtle breed in April and May followed by nesting in late June or early July.  The eggs are laid in leaf litter or often on muskrat lodges where they incubate for 60 to 90 days.  Clutch size ranges from 2 to as many as 9 eggs.