Yellow mud turtle (Kinosternon flavescens)

Short answers

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

An aquarium from approx. 100×40 cm / 40 gal; shallow water plus an exit; a land section they can dig in.

Yellow mud turtle: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–26 °C water, basking spot 30–33 °C (basking), at night 18–22 °C.

Yellow mud turtle: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB needed (10–12 h a day above the basking spot).

Yellow mud turtle: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–40 years.

Yellow 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

18–22 °C

Basking spot

30–33 °C (basking)

Humidity

— (aquatic; with a land section they can dig in)

UVB

UVB needed (10–12 h a day above the basking spot)

Enclosure

Minimum size

an aquarium from approx. 100×40 cm / 40 gal; shallow water plus an exit; a land section they can dig in

Substrate

Soft sand they can dig in

Feeding

Food

Carnivorous to omnivorous – insects, crayfish, molluscs, earthworms, fish, amphibians, carrion, pellets

Feeding interval

adults 2–3×/week, juveniles daily

Key facts

Adult size

males ~15–16 cm, females ~10–13 cm (SCL)

Life expectancy

20–40 years

Origin

The central USA (Nebraska, Kansas, Texas among others) to northern Mexico; arid regions and prairie

Protection status

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

Brumation

A winter rest or brumation in the substrate is needed (about 2–3 months cool); they may also aestivate (buried) in dry spells

Cohabitation

Single housing recommended; males aggressive. 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

It buries itself a great deal (summer aestivation plus winter hibernation) – a diggable land section is essential. A dryland species with a pronounced resting physiology. Some water figures are derived from general Kinosternon care, 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 Yellow mud turtle (Kinosternon flavescens) 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
• White-lipped mud turtle (Kinosternon leucostomum) – Intermediate
• Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) – Intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Yellow mud turtle (Kinosternon flavescens) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (an aquarium from approx. 100×40 cm / 40 gal; shallow water plus an exit; a land section they can dig in), substrate (Soft sand they can dig in), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.