Stream Lab Report

As its common name suggests, this small freshwater turtle has a distinctly flattened top shell (carapace), which is slightly serrated at the rear edge in juveniles, but becomes smooth with age. The upper shell is yellowish-brown to dark brown with small, black spots and streaks and dark bordered seams, while the lower shell (plastron) is either pink or yellow. The head, legs and tail are olive-green with a network of fine black mottling All four feet are webbed and males have long, thick, spine-tipped tails

Range

Restricted to the upper Black Warrior River system of west-central Alabama, U.S.

Habitat

The flattened musk turtle is found in a variety of rivers, streams and in the shallow upper reaches of reservoirs, but its preferred habitat appears to be large, clear, free-flowing creeks or rivers. It inhabits areas with large flat rocks, moderately sandy bottoms and vegetated shallows, with alternating riffles and pools. The turtles wedge themselves in crevices and under large flat rocks, hence their flattened shells. (Pulliam, J.J. and Bowker, R.G. Pp.122)

Biology

Unlike many aquatic turtles, this shy, secretive species rarely basks in the sunshine when healthy, instead showing a strong tendency towards crepuscular and nocturnal activity, particularly during summer. However, sick flattened musk turtles often bask in order to raise their body temperature, a phenomenon known as behavioural fever. Snails and clams are preferred food items, particularly the introduced Asian clam, but the diet also includes aquatic insects, arachnids, crayfish and the occasional dead fish. Juveniles are apparently more active during the day than adults and rely more heavily on insects, although small snails are also consumed ). Many animals have gills at some stage of their life (even humans have them at an early stage of their development in the womb), but fish retained these gills and they are still a ...