Common Musk Turtle

Sternotherus odoratus

First view, submerged, Shaw Lake, Barry State Game Area, Barry County, Michigan, 30 April 2016; here is another view of this turtle, held by Jack; and here is a view of this turtle’s plastron (again, held by Jack). It was 48 degrees and rainy when we found this turtle.

Another view, along the highway, near Snake Road, Union County, Illinois, 11 August 2014; this is a sad photo—this turtle was recently struck by a car, but not yet dead. I thought we should euthenize it, but Jack felt pretty strongly that we should place it in the grass next to the road, and let it die peacefully, and so that’s what we did.