About Sternotherus carinatus (Gray, 1856)
The razor-backed musk turtle (Sternotherus carinatus) grows to a straight carapace length of about 15 cm (5.9 in). It has a brown carapace with black markings along the edge of each scute. A distinct, sharp keel runs down the center of the carapace along its entire length, which gives the species its common name. The body and head are typically grey-brown with black spotting, and the head usually has a bulbous shape. The razor-backed musk turtle has a long neck, short legs, and a sharp beak. Males can usually be distinguished from females by their longer tails. The plastron is small, with only one anteriorly located hinge, there is no gular scute, and barbels are only present on the chin. As the common name 'musk turtle' suggests, this species produces a scent from musk glands as a defense mechanism. However, the razor-backed musk turtle is known to produce much less of this scent, particularly captive individuals. S. carinatus occurs across parts of the U.S. states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Florida, and Texas. It is found throughout Louisiana, but only occupies limited regions of the other seven states: specifically southeastern Oklahoma, southern and eastern Texas, southern Arkansas, south-central Mississippi, and extreme southwestern Alabama. In terms of reproduction, female razor-backed musk turtles usually reach sexual maturity at four to five years of age, while males reach maturity at five to six years. In captive populations, mating takes place in March, and egg laying occurs in early May to early June. Females lay approximately one to two clutches of eggs per year, with 5 to 7 eggs in each clutch for captive turtles. Wild razor-backed musk turtles lay around 2 eggs per clutch.
