What's the difference between a loggerhead musk turtle and a razor-backed musk turtle? Learn to tell them apart easily

Loggerhead musk turtle generally refers to the loggerhead musk turtle (Sternotherus minor), while razor-backed musk turtle generally refers to the razor-backed musk turtle (Sternotherus carinatus); both are must-keep species for aquatic turtle enthusiasts. So where do they differ?

1. Where do the loggerhead musk turtle and the razor-backed musk turtle differ?

1. Vertebral keel

The vertebral keel of the loggerhead musk turtle becomes indistinct (and may disappear) with age, whereas the vertebral keel of the razor-backed musk turtle is always present.

2. Plastron

The loggerhead musk turtle has a gular scute, while the razor-backed musk turtle does not. The razor-backed musk turtle is the only species in the genus Sternotherus that lacks a gular scute. Sometimes, however, the razor-backed musk turtle develops some abnormal scutes here; personally, I feel these are split scutes that merely look like a gular scute, not a true gular scute.

3. Carapace

When the loggerhead musk turtle is born, its costal scutes bear very obvious radiating patterns, whereas the razor-backed musk turtle is relatively clean, with only 2 sesame-sized spots.

4. Age at sexual maturity

Male loggerhead musk turtles usually take 4-8 years to reach sexual maturity, with a carapace length of between 7-9 cm, while females reach sexual maturity at an average of about 7 years (5-9), with a carapace length of 8-10 cm. Female razor-backed musk turtles do not reach sexual maturity until their carapace is about 10 cm, taking about 4-5 years, while males take 5-6 years, usually reaching sexual maturity at a carapace length of 10-12 cm.

5. Diet

The loggerhead musk turtle initially feeds on molluscs and also eats filamentous algae and aquatic plants; aquatic insects, arthropods, small shrimp, small fish, spiders and small reptiles are all part of its diet. Its gradually increasing body size brings about a change in food selection, from insects to molluscs; this species of musk turtle has developed powerful jaw musculature and an expandable, decisive mouth, and it has clearly adapted to molluscs. The razor-backed musk turtle is omnivorous; insects, crustaceans, snails, clams, crayfish (a kind of freshwater crayfish), amphibians and aquatic plants are all part of its diet.