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How Big Do 3-Striped Mud Turtles Get?

The three-striped mud turtle is a reptile that is found from the Florida Keys to as far north as Virginia. They often live in swamps, ponds and canals. The mud turtle is an omnivore, meaning it will eat plants, such as algae, and animals, such as snails, insects and fish. Three-striped mud turtles have three distinct light-colored stripes on their shells.

Eggs
- Breeding and nesting occur from September to June. The female lays three sets of eggs throughout the year. Each set is referred to as a clutch and contains one to four eggs. The eggs are approximately 1.1 inches long. The incubation period can last 13 to 19 weeks. A mud turtle hatchling is approximately 1-inch long.
Average Size
- Most three-striped turtles reach an adult size of 3 to 4 inches long. Although they are slightly smaller than the female turtles, the male turtles' tails are larger and thicker than those of the females. The male turtle's tail also features spines. Pet mud turtles can comfortably be kept in a 10- to 20-gallon tank because of their small size.
Records
- According to the Virginia Herpetological Society, the largest three-striped mud turtle on record reached a length of 5 inches. It is not unusual for a mud turtle to live for over 20 years. In his article "Captive Husbandry of Striped Mud Turtles (Kinosternon baurii)," Dr. David T. Kirkpatrick states that there are records of a mud turtle living for 50 years in captivity.
Other Information
- The shell of a turtle is also referred to as a carapace. Turtles have survived for over 200 million years and they are found on every continent except Antarctica. Unlike other turtles, the three-striped mud turtle builds its nest in the fall. The nests are burrowed into sand or in areas with dying vegetation.

Animals & Science