Giant musk turtle

Giant musk turtle
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Kinosternidae
Genus: Staurotypus
Species: S. salvinii
Binomial name
Staurotypus salvinii
Gray, 1864

The Giant musk turtle (Staurotypus salvinii) is a species of turtle in the Kinosternidae family. It is found in Mexico (Chiapas and Oaxaca), El Salvador, Guatemala and Belize.

Description

They are typically much larger than other species of musk turtle, attaining sizes of up to 36 cm (14 inches) carapace length, with males being significantly smaller than females. They are typically brown, black, or green in color, with a yellow underside. Their carapace is distinguished by three distinct ridges, or keels which run its length.

Diet

Like other musk turtle species, they are carnivorous, eating various types of aquatic invertebrates, as well as fish and carrion.

Source