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Sternotherus oderatus
When I first saw this baby turtle on a walking path, I thought it was a nutshell. It is the smallest turtle I have seen and I'm guessing it was a new hatchling. The coin shown for size is a US quarter. This species is also called stinkpot, due to its ability to release a foul musky odor from scent glands on the edge of its shell, possibly to deter predation. When I moved the baby out of the walking path, it didn’t release an odor, possibly still having to learn this. Or it didn't feel threatened.
Hank Anderson Park
Spotted on Oct 24, 2015
Submitted on Oct 29, 2015
5 Comments
Cute. And thanks for moving it out of harm's way.
Adorable. Never heard of this type! Thank you Maria
I know what you mean. I sure do I have never seen a hatchling turtle before and, as with most babies and adults, it never ceases to amaze me that something so big comes from something so tiny :D
I should have said that it was speculation on my part that it still might need to learn; I don't really know. I'd like to think it didn't feel threatened, too. Glad you enjoyed seeing it!
It's a wee little turtle for sure! That's interesting that it may still have to learn...but I guess a lot of babies need to learn a lot of survival skills. I'd like to think it just didn't feel threatened :) Thank you for sharing!