Turtles

Stinkpot

• 5.1-11.5cm; record 13.7cm
• Small turtle with smooth, light olive to black, high-domed, narrow carapace
• Plastron is small, yellow-brown and gives little protection to legs; a "hinge" runs across the front of plastron allowing it to close upward to protect head
• Two light stripes on each side of head
• Barbels (fleshy projections) on chin and throat
• Named for musky odour produced when handled (also called "stinkpot")
• Rarely leaves water; basks in shallow water with shell exposed and may climb trees and branches above water     
• May be confused with a small snapping turtle, but snapper has long serrated tail
• Lays 2-5 oval, white, hard-shelled eggs
• THREATENED