Care sheet
Common Musk Turtle
Sternotherus odoratus
Also known as: Eastern Musk Turtle, Stinkpot
Kinosternidae ยท Testudines
- Activity
- ๐ Crepuscular
- Temperament
- Hands-off
- Adult length
- 3โ5.5 in
- Lifespan (captivity)
- 30โ50 yrs
- Native range
- Eastern North America โ southern Ontario through the eastern/central USA to the Gulf Coast
Care guide
Overview
Common Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) โ a small, hardy, fully aquatic turtle well suited to keepers who want a turtle in a manageable footprint. It's a bottom-walker rather than a strong swimmer, so keep water shallow enough to reach the surface easily and provide climb-outs. Still needs filtration, a basking spot, and UVB. Long-lived โ plan for decades.
Environment
Climate
Environment
UVB lighting
Housing
Enclosure
- HatchlingNot specified
- JuvenileNot specified
- Adult20 gal min (vet); 40 gal / 36x18 in preferred. Water 8-12 in deep with easy climb-outs.
Housing
Substrate
Nutrition
Diet & feeding
- JuvenileDaily
- AdultEvery other day / 3-4x weekly; remove uneaten food
Calcium; use a complete aquatic pellet (Zoo Med/Mazuri) to avoid vitamin-A deficiency (swollen eyes).
Care
Water & behavior
Aquatic setup: water 75-80F, filtration >=2x tank rating, 25-50% weekly changes; bottom-walker (weak swimmer).
Legal & ecology
Conservation
Least Concern; not CITES-listed. One of the best small aquatic turtles for keepers with limited space.
Citations
Sources
Every husbandry parameter on this page is backed by the references below. Click through to read the originals.
- Common Musk Turtle Careveterinary
Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center
20/30 gal, water 75-80F, depth 8-12 in, basking 85-90F, UVB 5-10 for 10-12h, diet, disease signs.
Published: 2023-01-01
- government
Least Concern assessment.
Published: 2011-01-01
- Care and Maintenance of the Common Musk Turtlebreeder community
The Bio Dude
40 gal, UVI 3-4, size, bottom-walking behavior.
Published: 2021-01-01