Sonora mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense)

Short answers

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

100×40 cm aqua-terrarium.

Sonora mud turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 17–21 °C.

Sonora mud turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

Sonora mud turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 30–40 years.

Sonora mud turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

17–21 °C

Basking spot

32 °C

Humidity

Aquatic, shallow

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×40 cm aqua-terrarium

Substrate

Water 15–25 cm deep, sand, stones, a small land section

Feeding

Food

Snails, insects, fish, pellets

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

11–17 cm

Life expectancy

30–40 years

Origin

Arizona, northern Mexico – desert streams

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; protected in parts of its range

Brumation

A cooler spell of 8–12 weeks

Cohabitation

Keeping it singly is safest. A pair only works if a second tank is ready to remove the male during constant courtship - two males harass each other and the females further. With more space, one male can be kept with several females, spreading out the courtship.

Notes

An inhabitant of isolated desert streams and pools. It walks more than it swims – shallow water with plenty of ways to climb out. In dry conditions it can rest on land.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Sonora mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Rough-footed mud turtle (Kinosternon hirtipes) – Intermediate
• Mississippi mud turtle (Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis) – Intermediate
• Scorpion mud turtle (Kinosternon scorpioides) – 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 Sonora mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×40 cm aqua-terrarium), substrate (Water 15–25 cm deep, sand, stones, a small land section), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.