Stinkpots are found in creeks, rivers, ponds, swamps, or lakes. Mating occurs in the spring. Eggs are deposited in May or June and hatch in two to three months.
Stinkpots are probably found in every county in West Virginia.
Stinkpot Sternotherus odoratus. Common statewide in a variety of sluggish-water environments. More tolerant of habitat degradation than other members of its genus. Lowest Conservation Concern.
Tortoises - Family Testudinidae ...
Also called a "stinkpot" for musky secretion emitted from glandular openings. A bottom feeder on smallliving organisms, and scavenger on dead animal matter. Common in ponds, quiet streams, and bogs throughout the Pine Barrens.
Also called the Stinkpot or Stinking Jim, the musk turtle is one of our smallest native turtles. They get their
name from their ability to secrete foul-smelling, yellowish fluid from two pairs of musk glands when disturbed.
Musk turtles, also known us stinkpots. seem to prefer deep, still water in lakes, ponds, and sluggish streams with muddy bottoms and an abundance of plant life.
Description: Common musk turtles (or stinkpots) have small plastrons (bottom of shell) with a single hinge that provides little to no protection for their legs, distinguishing them from the similar mud turtles.
Stinkpot's long neck can bring its jaws as far back as its hind limbs. In early spring it likes to bask in shallows or amid floating vegetation with the center of its carapace exposed to the sun.
The common musk turtle is also called 'stinkpot' because of its ability to expel a rather repulsive musky scent from glands on its plastron when disturbed.
Also known as the 'stinkpot', it probably ranges throughout the southern third of the state, although records are sparse.
One of the world's smallest turtles, this critter is often known by its nickname, "stinkpot." Can you guess why? If your answer is, "because it stinks," you're right. The musk turtle gives off a foul, musky smell when it is grabbed.
These turtles are also frequently called stinkpots. This glandular secretion has a strong musky odour which deters predators but may also be used in courtship.
They have barbels on the chin and neck. They have short tails, males' longer than the females'. Males' tails have a claw-like tip. Also known as "stinkpots", they can release a foul-smelling fluid.
generally seen foraging along the bottom in shallow water. May be nocturnal in summer. They eat snails, crayfish, insects, tadpoles, etc. If disturbed, glands along lower edge of shell secrete a foul-smelling musk, hence the common name "stinkpot." ...
The name "stinkpot" is appropriately assigned due to phenolalkalinic acid excreted from glands that creates a pungent musky odor. Females reach sexual maturity at 8-9.5 cm (~ 4 yrs) and males at 6-7 cm (~ 2 yrs).
stinkpot (Sternotherus odoratus)
striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii)
stripe-necked musk turtle (Sternotherus minor peltifer)
timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)
wood turtle (Clemmys insculpta)
yellowbellied slider (Trachemys scripta scripta) ...
 See also: Turtle, Shell, Snapping Turtle, Reptile, Map Turtle
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