General Description
This group includes ten species with legal protection in at least one state and one Federally threatened species (flattened musk turtle). The collective range for these 10 environmentally sensitive species is widespread throughout the central, southeastern, and Atlantic coastal regions of the United States. Mud and musk turtles are found in almost any quiet water within their range to include swamps, wetlands, sinkholes, rivers, creeks, ponds, lakes, reservoirs, etc. Mud and musk turtles are placed in a separate group because of morphological and behavioral differences as well as the diversity of aquatic systems inhabited. Diet varies somewhat geographically but consists primarily of aquatic invertebrates. Habitat destruction is mainly attributed to declines in mud and musk turtle populations.

Protected or Sensitive Species Identified

Species Profile	Species Links	USACE Data
mud turtle
striped mud turtle
yellow mud turtle
Illinois mud turtle
Chihuahuan mud turtle
Sonoran mud turtle
eastern mud turtle
musk turtle
razorback musk turtle
flattened musk turtle
loggerhead musk turtle
stripeneck musk turtle
common musk turtle

Other Species Information
     USACE District/Division survey summary
Protection status by state

References
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