Mexican musk turtle
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Family:	Kinosternidae
Genus:	Staurotypus
Species:	S. triporcatus
Binomial name
Staurotypus triporcatus (Wiegmann, 1828)
Synonyms[1]
Terrapene triporcata Wiegmann, 1828 Staurotypus triporcatus — Wagler, 1830 Emys (Kinosternon) triporcata — Gray, 1831 Kinosternon triporcatum — Gray, 1831 Clemmys (Staurotypus) triporcata — Fitzinger, 1835 Claudius pictus Cope, 1872 Staurotipus triporcatus — Sumichrast, 1882 Staurotypus triporeatus Thatcher, 1963 (ex errore) Clemmys (Staurotypus) triporcatus — H.M. Smith & R.B. Smith, 1980 Staurotipus tripocartus Ippi & Flores, 2001 (ex errore)

The Mexican musk turtle or narrow-bridged musk turtle (Staurotypus triporcatus) is a species of turtles in the Kinosternidae family. It is found in Central America and Mexico.

Distribution[edit]

• Mexico: Campeche, Chiapas, Yucatán, Quintana Roo, Tabasco, and Veracruz
• Belize
• Guatemala
• Honduras

Description[edit]

They are typically much larger than other species of Kinosternidae, attaining sizes of up to 36 cm (14 in) in carapace length, with males being significantly smaller than females. They are typically brown, black, or green in color, with a yellow underside. Their carapaces are distinguished by three distinct ridges, or keels, which run their length.

Diet[edit]

Like other musk turtle species, they are carnivorous, eating various types of aquatic invertebrates, as well as fish and carrion.

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Tortoise & Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group 1996. Staurotypus triporcatus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 29 July 2007.

Further reading[edit]

• Wiegmann, A.F.A. 1828. Beyträge zu Amphibienkunde. Isis von Oken 21: 364–383.