Mud Turtle - Life History and Behavior

Life History and Behavior

K. subrubrum is generally active for the majority of the year during the warmer seasons. Some mud turtles remain on land from spring or summer until the beginning of spring comes around again. These turtles are active both during the day and the night. During the day they usually sunbathe in the shallow water on logs, brush, or close to the shore in the mud. The turtle is most active on land in the early morning or late night after rain. When the turtle is ready to burrow itself for hibernation it digs a hole barely under the water and backs down into it. If the turtle is going to hibernate on land it usually finds a burrow already dug for it to spend its winter months in. When the wet habitat that the turtle is living in dries, it usually digs into the bottom to try and find a more moist area or it just leaves and migrates on land. If this happens the turtle will migrate as far as 300 meters from its habitat. Turtles can swim at speeds up to 12.8 cm/sec when travelling. Eastern mud turtles get defensive and occasionally fight each other, which usually results in one retreating. Turtles are generally not very active animals when it comes to pronounced behavioral traits.

K. subrubrum sexually mature at different ages across separate populations in different states or areas. In Oklahoma region males mature at around four years of age and females around five years. In Florida both males and females sexually mature at around three or four years old. The mating season for the eastern mud turtle is around the middle of March until the end of May. In order to attract a mate, females secrete a scent from a special gland. This scent can also double as a defense mechanism for these turtles. When these turtles mate, it is usually done underwater. Female mud turtles contain an area within their reproductive system that stores sperm so that it can fertilize all of the eggs that have been laid. Once the eggs are fertilized the nesting period begins. Mud turtles nesting sites are not located in the water, but fairly close. The nests are usually composed of debris and soil with the opening of the nest not hidden very well. When the location of the nesting ground suits the female she digs a hole until she is almost completely submerged underneath the ground. Then she turns around and lays the eggs. The eggs that the females lay can be easily broken and are fragile. After she lays the eggs she leaves the nest and may return to the water. A female generally lays three to four eggs at a time. The eggs usually hatch around August or September when it is warm enough to develop properly.