As its name suggests, the flattened musk turtle has a remarkably flat shell, which helps it squeeze between rocks and crevices in the shallow, fast-flowing streams of the Black Warrior River system in the Appalachian foothills. This flattened shell is not just for looks—it’s an evolutionary advantage that allows the turtle to avoid predators and cling to the riverbed in strong currents.

This turtle is part of the musk turtle family, a group of small, secretive turtles known for releasing a strong musky odor when threatened—kind of like a reptilian defense spray. It’s their natural version of saying, “Back off!” While not dangerous to humans, the smell is enough to deter many would-be predators in the wild. And yes, despite their small size, flattened musk turtles are not afraid to stand their ground when cornered.

One of the coolest things about this turtle is how well-adapted it is to life underwater. It’s a bottom-dweller, often seen crawling along rocky streambeds instead of swimming in open water. It prefers clear, oxygen-rich streams with stable, rocky bottoms, where it hunts for its favorite foods—like snails, aquatic insects, worms, and the occasional small fish. Its sharp beak and strong jaw make it excellent at cracking snail shells and scraping algae off rocks.

Sadly, this turtle is federally listed as a threatened species, mainly because of habitat loss, pollution, and sedimentation caused by activities like mining, damming, and construction. When sediment clouds the water or covers the rocky streambeds, it clogs the turtle’s home and makes it difficult for them to find food or nesting sites.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

United States

CR

2023

Alabama