This is an abundant and common turtle of the eastern half of the United States. This is a semi-aquatic freshwater turtle that prefers shallow soft-bottomed, heavily vegetated areas of ponds, rivers, lakes, bogs, roadside ditches, streams and salt marshes. Mud Turtles can grow up to 5 inches in length. They eat anything they can catch such as fish, worms, insects, grubs, crustaceans, tadpoles, berries, other aquatic plants and carrion.  The main cause of death for these animals is car strikes and habitat destruction. This turtle has a strong enough beak to crush small mollusks and shells of snails and crabs.

Exhibits: Flint River Gallery & Hatchery