Striped mud turtle

The striped mud turtle is a turtle endemic to the United States, occurring along the Atlantic coast from Georgia to Virginia, as well as throughout Florida.

These animals are particularly fond of small ponds with water at least 60 cm deep. However, it can also be found in a wide variety of habitats where the beds are made up of mud or sand: marshes, streams, canals, ponds, and bays. This is possible because this turtle can live in both clear and murky waters.

Depending on their habitat, populations of striped mud turtles do not behave in the same way. Indeed, individuals from southern populations are active year-round. On the other hand, individuals from northern populations hibernate in terrestrial burrows. The burrows are often shallow and located under dead leaves or wood. Some individuals use up to four different burrows per season. Being more or less dependent on aquatic environments, the striped mud turtle shows different terrestrial activity depending on the depth of nearby water bodies as well as precipitation levels. Heavy rainfall leads to migrations.

The striped mud turtle is omnivorous, so it eats both plants and meat. It can consume both terrestrial and aquatic foods. This reptile eats many plants, such as palm cabbage seeds, juniper leaves, and algae. On the meat side, it eats snails, insects, larvae…

The striped mud turtle is preyed upon by alligators. The eggs are the target of small mammals and snakes.

The breeding period takes place between May and June and females nest from July to October. Most females can lay eggs 2 to 3 times per year, however those from northern populations only lay once per year. A clutch consists of 1 to 6 eggs measuring between 17 and 30 mm. The nest is dug using the hind legs and is 17 to 23 cm deep. The female remains on the nest for 1 to 38 days. Incubation lasts from 13 to 19 weeks and when the young emerge from the eggs, they measure between 20 and 25 mm in length and weigh between 2.1 and 3.9 grams.
Females and males reach maturity at around 5-6 years of age, when their size is around 7.5 to 8 cm. These turtles can live for around fifty years.

The striped mud turtle is threatened by the destruction of its habitat. Wetlands as well as the mosaics of terrestrial and aquatic habitats on which this turtle depends are increasingly being altered: ponds are filled in against mosquitoes or due to urban development… Additionally, road collisions impact the population numbers.

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