Common Musk Turtle
Scientific Name: Trachemys scripta
Photo Credit: JD Wilson
This species is mostly aquatic and usually found near water. Musk turtles have two light stripes on their heads. They are omnivorous and feed on small aquatic and semi-aquatic animals, aquatic plants, and carrion. In the winter, they bury themselves in the mud. When threatened, they secrete a stinky musk from their anal glands.
Explore the full species profile, including their habitat, diet, and behavior on Herps of NC.