Mud and Musk Turtles? Same? Or Different

[reyreytheturtlelover]

I've always wanted to ask this question... are mud and musk turtles the same thing or are they different types of turtles? I look online and search mud and musk turtles and they look similar, but if they are different what makes them different?

 

[diamondbp]

A main difference is the mud turtle has a movable hinged plastron similar to that of box turtles where as all musk turtles have a narrow FIXED plastron with no hinge. Very similar natural patterns but mud turtles can tend to dwell on land more than musk will.

 

[reyreytheturtlelover]

Oh OK thanks, I learned something new

 

[Anthony P]

Most N and S American Musks and Muds are officially split into two separate Genera for a few reasons, most notably the reason that Diamond already mentioned. Those Genera are Sternotherus and Kinosternon.