Scorpion mud turtle


The scorpion mud turtle or Tabasco mud turtle is a species of mud turtle in the family Kinosternidae. It is found in Mexico, Central and South America.

Description

The scorpion mud turtle is a medium to large kinosternid with a domed, oval upper shell 92–270 mm long. Males regularly exceed 200 mm. The scorpion mud turtle is a highly aquatic, adaptable kinosternid that will live in almost any body of water.

Diet

It is primarily omnicarnivorous, a glutton, and feeds on a wide variety of aquatic invertebrates and vertebrates, as well as carrion and bird eggshells.
It also feeds on plant material such as algae, fruits, flowers, nuts, seeds and aquatic plants.
In captivity, poorly fed K. scorpioides can be cannibalistic, biting off the toes and limbs of conspecifics.

Reproduction and habitat

Females probably lay 1 to 6 hard-shelled eggs. Like many kinosternids, they probably construct a shallow terrestrial nest with little cover.