Re: Digest Number 288
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Hi folks; A couple of things about Musk Turtles (also called Stinkpots in older books). They do live in deeper water. My wife, who catches a turtle almost every time we go fishing, caught one from the deep part of a pond in Western NC. It was nice and healthy. I keep one, named Peanut, (that was his size when I got him), who loves the deeper water. They do not bask nearly as much as their relative, the Mud Turtles do. They (Musks) are not tolerant of salty water either, though Muds can be found on barrier islands, and are quite tolerant of salt water, and if I were looking for a cleanup crew for Terps, I would get a mud, especially if I were keeping the water brackish. As far as algae on a Musk’s shell, I caught some while seining with a class in north central GA (Camp Rock Eagle, near Athens), and the algae on their backs was so long it looked like green hair! I found that with Peanut, I can use a soft tooth brush and get it off. I usually come out with a wounded finger. (He hates it, and can stretch his neck.) It doesn’t hurt them, and I leave it on as long as I can stand it. I love this list, and though I no longer keep Terps, I enjoy it. The terps I have kept have been hatchlings that were found in a weakened state. The one I had at home lived to 7 years. Should have lived longer, but I moved his tank. I found them to be rather fragile, much more so than other members of the family, and will no longer keep them until I can do justice to them. I really admire folks who can keep them, and am amazed that some of the folks here breed them! Wow, and keep it up! Alex Netherton The Appalachian Naturalist Asheville, NC http://www.appalachian-naturalist.com alex@…
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