Bill's Botanical Forays

Rain was the theme of the day at the Refuge today. I drove around a bit to see what was going on, and came across another turtle trying to cross the road. This time it was a male Eastern Mud Turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum.) Mud turtles prefer to spend their time in water or moist locations, but I assumed this little guy might have been looking for a mate and the rainy weather probably helped him feel comfortable on land.

The Eastern Mud Turtle is found in the pine barrens of Long Island and New Jersey on the North to the coastal plain regions of Florida and Alabama on the South. In Maryland, they are found all but the two most western counties. They are a shy species preferring to hide themselves in water and in moist humus. That is why it was lucky that I saw this little guy crossing the road.

They are omnivores, and will eat crayfish, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, amphibians, carrion, and aquatic vegetation.