White-lipped mud turtle (Kinosternon leucostomum)

Short answers

White-lipped mud turtle: How big does the enclosure need to be?

100×50 cm aqua-terrarium.

White-lipped mud turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot 32 °C, at night 20–23 °C.

White-lipped mud turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Essential (UVB 5.0).

White-lipped mud turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 25–40 years.

White-lipped mud turtle: Is it suitable for beginners?

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

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

20–23 °C

Basking spot

32 °C

Humidity

Aquatic, shallow

UVB

Essential (UVB 5.0)

Enclosure

Minimum size

100×50 cm aqua-terrarium

Substrate

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

Feeding

Food

Fish, snails, insects, pellets

Feeding interval

3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

12–17 cm

Life expectancy

25–40 years

Origin

Central America, north-western South America

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 small, mainly ground-living aquatic turtle – it walks more than it swims. Keep the water level low. Well suited to smaller tanks.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for White-lipped mud turtle (Kinosternon leucostomum) 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
• Sonora mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense) – Intermediate
• Striped mud turtle (Kinosternon baurii) – Beginner
• Tabasco mud turtle (Kinosternon acutum) – 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 White-lipped mud turtle (Kinosternon leucostomum) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (100×50 cm aqua-terrarium), substrate (Water 15–25 cm deep, sand, roots, 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.