Florida mud turtle


The Florida mud turtle is a species of turtle in the family Kinosternidae. The species is endemic to the state of Florida in the United States. This species of turtle is extremely rare compared to others.

Taxonomy

Although originally described as a species, K. steindachneri was long considered a subspecies of the eastern mud turtle, but a 2013 analysis found there to be no data supporting this classification, and supported its recognition as its own distinct species.

Geographic range

K. steindachneri is found in peninsular Florida. Its type locality is near Orlando.

Etymology

The specific name, steindachneri, is in honor of Austrian herpetologist Franz Steindachner.