Kinosternon baurii (Garman, 1891)

Common Name and Carapace Markings

Kinosternon baurii, commonly called the striped mud turtle, has three light-colored stripes running along the length of its smooth carapace.

Adult Size

Adults reach a straight carapace length of 8–12 cm (3–4¾ inches).

Geographic Range

This species is distributed across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia.

Habitat and Foraging Behavior

It is a common freshwater species, and it wanders on land more than any other mud turtle; it can sometimes be seen foraging for food in cow dung.

Nesting Period

For reproduction, adult female K. baurii nest between September and June.

Egg Characteristics and Incubation

The eggs are slightly over 2.5 cm (1 inch) long, and hatch after 13 to 19 weeks of incubation.

Hatchling Traits

Newly hatched hatchlings measure approximately 2.5 cm (1 inch) in straight carapace length, and unlike adult striped mud turtles, they have keeled carapaces.