Mississippi mud turtle

Description:

The eastern mud turtle is a small and often hard to identify species. It measures 3-4 inches in length. The carapace is keelless, lacks any pattern, and varies in color from yellowish to black. The plastron is large and double hinged, and can be yellowish to brown, and may sometimes have a dark pattern. The chin and throat are a yellowish grey, streaked and mottled with brown, while the limbs and tail are grayish. The eye, or iris, of the eastern mud turtle is yellow with dark clouding, and its feet are webbed.

Notes:

A co-worker found this little guy on a service road at work. I'm glad he brought it to me for inspection because this marks the first time I've ever knowingly laid eyes on this species (subspecies).