DESCRIPTION: A small (shell up to 175 mm or 7″ in length ) turtle with an olive or gray-brown, dome-shaped shell. The top part of the shell (carapace) has three mild lengthwise keels. The underside of the shell (plastron) is usually yellow-brown and has two hinges so that the front and back can close when the turtle retreats inside. There are small, fleshy projections on the throat. The head and neck are marked with yellow or cream colored reticulations on a dark olive background. The feet are webbed. The markings on the head and neck distinguish this turtle from our other mud turtles.

HABITAT: In Arizona this turtle inhabits biotic communities ranging from Lower Colorado River Sonoran Desertscrub through the woodlands. Usually found in rocky streams, creeks, and rivers. It also inhabits ponds, cattle tanks, and ditches.

BEHAVIOR: Primarily diurnal in spring and fall but can be active at any time of the day or night during the hot summer months. It is aquatic but often travels overland between bodies of water. During the cold months of late fall and winter it hibernates in the soil under the water or in cavities along the bank. When captured or threatened it may emit a foul smelling musk from glands on the sides of the body.

DIET: The Sonora Mud Turtle is primarily carnivorous. It feeds on insects, snails, fish, frogs, and carrion. It may also eat some plant material.

REPRODUCTION: This turtle mates in the water during spring and lays a clutch of up to 11 brittle-shelled eggs in an underground nest.

SUBSPECIES FOUND IN AZ:
There are two subspecies in Arizona: The SONOYTA MUD TURTLE Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale is only found in a small spring and drainage flowing south into Mexico from western Pima County. Over the rest of the species range in Arizona it is represented by the SONORA MUD TURTLE Kinosternon sonoriense sonoriense.