Scorpion mud turtle (Kinosternon scorpioides)

Short answers

Scorpion mud turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

An aquarium from approx. 100×40 cm / 150 l for one animal; it must be able to submerge fully and reach the surface easily.

Scorpion mud turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C water, basking spot 30–33 °C (basking), at night 20–22 °C.

Scorpion mud turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB recommended (weak to moderate above the basking spot).

Scorpion mud turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30 years and more.

Scorpion mud turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–26 °C water

Night temperature

20–22 °C

Basking spot

30–33 °C (basking)

Humidity

— (aquatic)

UVB

UVB recommended (weak to moderate above the basking spot)

Enclosure

Minimum size

an aquarium from approx. 100×40 cm / 150 l for one animal; it must be able to submerge fully and reach the surface easily

Substrate

Fine sand; hides (stones, roots, cork tubes)

Feeding

Food

Carnivorous to omnivorous – aquatic invertebrates, snails, earthworms, prawns, fish, pellets; little greenery

Feeding interval

adults approx. 3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

10–18 cm (depending on the subspecies, individuals up to ~27 cm)

Life expectancy

20–30 years and more

Origin

Mexico, Central and South America (to northern Argentina)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II (Kinosternon spp., CoP19 in 2022), EU Regulation Annex B; proof of origin required

Brumation

None (a tropical species); no cold dormancy, at most a slight seasonal variation in temperature

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is recommended; the males are aggressive. House them together only with a great deal of space and plenty of hides – keep them singly to be safe.

Notes

Crepuscular and nocturnal, and it hardly basks. Tropical – no winter dormancy. Good water quality and filtration matter. The concrete husbandry figures come mainly from one care source, supported by field data.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Scorpion mud turtle (Kinosternon scorpioides) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Rough-footed mud turtle (Kinosternon hirtipes) – Intermediate
• Mississippi mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis) – 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 Scorpion mud turtle (Kinosternon scorpioides) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (an aquarium from approx. 100×40 cm / 150 l for one animal; it must be able to submerge fully and reach the surface easily), substrate (Fine sand; hides (stones, roots, cork tubes)), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.