Rough-footed mud turtle (Kinosternon hirtipes)

Short answers

Rough-footed mud turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

An aqua-terrarium from ~80×40 cm for one animal; shallow water with plenty of climbing and exit aids (a moderate swimmer) and plenty of hides (mostly bottom-walking).

Rough-footed mud turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C water temperature, basking spot 30–34 °C (basking spot), at night slight drop.

Rough-footed mud turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended and needed (Ferguson zone 2, UV index 2–3) above the basking spot.

Rough-footed mud turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: approx. 20–30 years (an estimate, hardly documented).

Rough-footed mud turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C water temperature

Night temperature

slight drop

Basking spot

30–34 °C (basking spot)

Humidity

aquatic (—)

UVB

UVB recommended and needed (Ferguson zone 2, UV index 2–3) above the basking spot

Enclosure

Minimum size

an aqua-terrarium from ~80×40 cm for one animal; shallow water with plenty of climbing and exit aids (a moderate swimmer) and plenty of hides (mostly bottom-walking)

Substrate

Sand or fine gravel, a soft diggable floor (they bury themselves)

Feeding

Food

Omnivorous with a meat bias: snails, insects, worms, crustaceans, small fish, a few water plants and algae

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles more often

Key facts

Adult size

approx. 11–16 cm (up to ~18 cm)

Life expectancy

approx. 20–30 years (an estimate, hardly documented)

Origin

Central and northern Mexico (the highlands) and the adjoining south-western USA (Texas, New Mexico, Arizona)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Annex B (Kinosternon spp. listed since 2023): registration requirement + proof of origin.

Brumation

UNCERTAIN and dependent on origin: in dry conditions they aestivate by burying themselves in mud; highland populations may need a cool winter rest. Concrete husbandry data are sparse

Cohabitation

Single housing (mud turtles are territorial/aggressive, males fight). The reason is territory: males ram and bite one another, and females are harassed so persistently during prolonged courtship that they visibly lose weight. Worn shell edges and bites on the hind legs are what you end up showing the vet.

Notes

A little-studied, rarely kept species – barely any specific care sheets; the husbandry figures are derived from related Kinosternidae. The figures are conservative and several fields are uncertain. Taxonomically there are several subspecies.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Rough-footed mud turtle (Kinosternon hirtipes) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Mississippi mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis) – Intermediate
• Scorpion mud turtle (Kinosternon scorpioides) – Intermediate
• Sonora mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense) – Intermediate
• Striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii) – Beginner
• Tabasco mud turtle (Kinosternon acutum) – Intermediate
• White-lipped mud turtle (Kinosternon leucostomum) – Intermediate
• Yellow mud turtle (Kinosternon flavescens) – Intermediate
• Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Rough-footed mud turtle (Kinosternon hirtipes) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (an aqua-terrarium from ~80×40 cm for one animal; shallow water with plenty of climbing and exit aids (a moderate swimmer) and plenty of hides (mostly bottom-walking)), substrate (Sand or fine gravel, a soft diggable floor (they bury themselves)), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.