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Southern Musk Turtle
- Colouration
- Upper and lower shell like the preceding species. There is a narrow stripe from the snout, extending over the eye, thence back upon the neck. Beneath this is a second stripe, extending from slightly above the angle of the jaw, backward upon the neck. The chin has spots in place of the two light bands of A. odoratus. With some specimens the head bands are very obscure. These are generally old individuals and the head is brown, streaked or speckled with black.
- Dimensions
- The measurements of an adult specimen from Enterprise, Florida, are given:
- Distribution
- The southeastern portion of the United States--Florida to Texas.
- Habits
- Similar to the preceding species.
At a glance this turtle at once appeals to the preceding species, but the head markings are different, the upper shell is more elongated, while the forward, central shield of the carapace is much narrower.
Length of Carapace . . . . . 4 inches.
Width of Carapace . . . . . 2 3/4 inches.
Length of Plastron . . . . . 3 inches.
Width of Head . . . . . 1 1/8 inches.
From these measurements it will be seen that the head is proportionately larger than with A. odoratus.