Kinosternidae

Kinosternidae is a family of small to medium-sized turtles commonly referred to as mud turtles and musk turtles. Native to the Americas, members of this family occur from the United States through Central America to northern South America and comprise roughly 25–30 species in several genera, with Kinosternon and Sternotherus as the best-known. The group is characterized by a relatively domed carapace and a hinge in the plastron in many species, which allows the animal to close its shell tightly. Some species also possess musk glands that release a distinctive odor when threatened.

They are primarily aquatic or semi-aquatic, inhabiting ponds, marshes, streams, and slow-moving waters; some can tolerate brackish conditions. Diet is omnivorous, including aquatic invertebrates, small fish, amphibians, and plant matter. They bask on logs or banks; juveniles are generally more terrestrial than adults. Reproduction is oviparous, with females laying nests in soil or leaf litter. Clutch size varies by species but can range from a few to over a dozen eggs, and incubation lasts several weeks to months depending on temperature.

Conservation: Many kinosternids face threats from habitat loss, pollution, and collection for the pet trade; some species are listed as threatened or endangered by national or international authorities. Taxonomy: The composition of the family has varied; some classifications place Staurotypus within Kinosternidae, and the placement of certain genera has changed with evolving phylogenetic data.