Added 6 August 2009.

Staurotypus

Giant Musk Turtles

Introduction

Two largeish species, which together with the single Claudius species form the subfamily Staurotypinae. Alderton considers that they are most easily distinguished from each other by colour. Staurotypus occur in waters that are also inhabited by crocodilians, which may account for their thicker shell size and aggressive nature.

Other characteristics of the genus include three prominent keels on the carapace which thicken with age, and the broad head which terminates in a pointed snout and has barbels on the chin.

I have not heard much about these turtles in captivity, but Müller recommends an optimal temperature of 25 deg C, with the temperature not being allowed to fall below 20 deg C, and that given their antisocial and aggressive nature, even the bringing together of animals for mating should be carefully monitored.

Species Name Common Name Location Size Notes
Staurotypus
S. salvinii Chiapas Giant Musk Turtle, Gnau [D: Salvin-Kreuzbrustschildkröte]

 

 

S Mexico, S Guatemala, El Salvador Max 25cm

 

 

A mainly nocturnal species that spends almost all of its life in the water, coming on to land mainly for egg laying. It apparently aestivates in the earth in the dry season. Carapace: tricarinate, solidly sutured to plastron. Plastron: plastron covers about 1/3 of the underside; humerals form the longest central suture; abdominals are much wider than long. Other: ??. Coloration: carapace is dark olive to brownish black or black. Reproduction: no details for wild; see Müller for notes on the possible relation of temperature to incubation time. [SOURCE: Müller]
S. triporcatus Mexican Giant Musk Turtle [D: Große Kreuzbrustschildkröte] Mexico, N Guatemala, Belize, NW Honduras 14-16"/35-40cm  In addition to feeding on molluscs it also preys on smaller kinosternid turtles in the same waters [Alderton]. Hunted by locals. Müller reported very rapid growth in young of the species, as well as their keen appetite. Carapace: low; posterior margin lacks serrations; bridge firmly sutured to carapace. Plastron: reduced, cruciform, with movable hinge. Other: head large, jaws slightly hooked; pair of barbels on throat; limbs short, muscular, with extensive webbing on digits. Coloration: carapace usually brown with lighter seams, dark brown streaks and radiations; plastron yellow, cream, sometimes with dark seams; head and neck olive, dark brown or grey with light reticulation; appendages dark grey. Reproduction: male has long, thick tail, female a shorter and narrower one. Nesting apparently in dry season; clutch of 3-6 eggs. [SOURCE: Lee]

Biography

Turtles and Tortoises of the World, David Alderton, Blandford, London 1999.

Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of the Maya World, Julian C Lee, Cornell University Press, 2000.

Schildkröten, Gerhard Müller, Eugen Ullmer, Stuttgart 1995.

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