Narrow-bridged musk turtle
The narrow-bridged musk turtle (Claudius angustatus) is a species of musk turtle found in Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.[1] As of 2010 it is the only extant species in the genus Claudius recognised.[1]
Description
Narrow-bridged musk turtles are typically brown in coloration. Their scutes have lines and graining that make them almost appear wood-like. They often have bright yellow markings on the edge of the carapace. As they age, algae often heavily cover their shells, masking their patterning and coloration. The head is large and bulbous for their size, with a long neck, and a sharp beak. The shell is domed, with three distinct ridges down the length. Though classified in the subfamily Staurotypinae with the "giant" musk turtles, narrow-bridged musk turtles generally only grow to about 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) in length.
Behavior
Like all musk turtles, narrow-bridged musk turtles are almost entirely aquatic, and prefer habitats such as slow moving creeks, or shallow ponds that are heavily vegetated. They spend much of their time walking along the bottom foraging for aquatic invertebrates, insects, and carrion. They have glands under the rear of their shell which they can use to release a foul smelling musk, hence their common name.
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