Tabasco mud turtle (Kinosternon acutum)
Turtles & tortoises · Difficulty: Intermediate
Key facts and care guidance for Tabasco mud turtle (Kinosternon acutum) (origin: Southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala). Adult size around 9–12 cm. Life expectancy 25–35 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Tabasco mud turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?
80×40 cm aqua-terrarium.
Tabasco mud turtle: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 21–24 °C.
Tabasco mud turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).
Tabasco mud turtle: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 25–35 years.
Tabasco mud turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?
Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 25–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 21–24 °C
- Basking spot
- 32 °C
- Humidity
- Aquatic, shallow
- UVB
- Essential (UVB 5.0)
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 80×40 cm aqua-terrarium
- Substrate
- Water 10–20 cm deep, sand, leaf litter, a small land section
Feeding
- Food
- Snails, insects, earthworms, fish
- Feeding interval
- 3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 9–12 cm
- Life expectancy
- 25–35 years
- Origin
- Southern Mexico, Belize, Guatemala
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- None
- 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
A very small tropical mud turtle, good for compact aquaterrariums. Ground-living in shallow water; it needs leaves and roots as cover, otherwise it stays permanently hidden.
Do you keep this species?
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Tabasco mud turtle (Kinosternon acutum) currently offered
- 2 Wasserschildkröten zu verkaufen, lt. Tierarzt vermutlich weiblich – Oldenburg · 150 €
Related species
- Rough-footed mud turtle (Kinosternon hirtipes) – Intermediate
- 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
- White-lipped mud turtle (Kinosternon leucostomum) – Intermediate
- Yellow mud turtle (Kinosternon flavescens) – Intermediate
- Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) – Intermediate
What you need to start
To keep Tabasco mud turtle (Kinosternon acutum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (80×40 cm aqua-terrarium), substrate (Water 10–20 cm deep, sand, leaf litter, 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.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 5 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinosternon, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabasco_mud_turtle, Iverson & Vogt 2011, IUCN/SSC TFTSG-Artkonto Kinosternon acutum, Chelonian Research Monographs 5 (062) („secretive, nocturnal habits“); en.wikipedia „Tabasco mud turtle“
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).