Full Grown Musk Turtle: Size, Appearance, Price & More

The musk turtle is a popular aquatic turtle species kept as pets. But what is a fully grown musk turtle really like? In this guide, we'll cover all aspects of caring for a musk turtle that has reached its full adult size and maturity.

About the Musk Turtle

The musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) is a small freshwater turtle native to eastern and central North America. As juveniles, musk turtles can make engaging pets due to their cute size and personality.

However, it's important to understand what caring for a fully grown musk turtle entails before committing to one as a long-term companion.

Size at Full Grown

Male musk turtles reach sexual maturity at around 4-5 inches in shell length. Females tend to grow slightly larger, reaching up to 5-6 inches as adults. In terms of height, a fully grown musk turtle's shell will measure 2-3 inches tall.

Weight at Full Grown

The average weight for an adult male musk turtle is around 8-12 ounces. Fully grown females typically weigh in the range of 10-16 ounces.

Appearance at Full Grown

When fully mature, musk turtles have a dark brown or black top shell (carapace) with yellowish markings. The bottom shell (plastron) is a dull yellow color. Their skin and neck are dark gray to black with some yellow spots. Males can be identified by their longer front claws used for holding the female during breeding.

Personality at Full Grown

As juveniles, musk turtles tend to be more active swimmers that are often found basking or exploring. However, fully grown adults become more sedentary and reclusive in nature. They spend much of their time hiding in brush or hiding spots and are less social than when younger.

Price

You can expect to pay $20-40 for an adult musk turtle from a pet store or reptile show breeder. High quality, captive-bred adults may cost upward of $60-80 depending on size and gender.

Food/Feeding

A balanced diet for an adult musk turtle consists primarily of commercially available omnivore pellets or algae wafers. Supplement these with occasional feeder insects like crickets, bloodworms, and dubia roaches. Fully grown musk turtles only need to be fed 2-3 times per week.

Lifespan

When provided excellent care, musk turtles can live 15-20 years on average. Some individuals may live upwards of 25 years or longer in captivity. Proper nutrition, hygiene, and environment are key to maximizing a musk turtle's lifespan as an adult pet.

Health at Full Grown

As mature pets, musk turtles are generally quite hardy but may be susceptible to bacterial infections. Regular visits to an experienced exotic animal veterinarian can help monitor weight, identify any issues early, and treat health problems before they worsen.

Care and Nutritional Needs at Full Grown

• Housing: A sturdy 45-75 gallon aquarium or pond with a dry basking area is recommended. Add 6-8 inches of water, branches, rocks, and hides.
• Heating: Aquatic heaters, basking lights, and undertank heat pads maintain proper temperature gradients.
• Filtration: Power filters with adjustable flow keep water clean for sedentary adults.
• Lighting: Maintain a 12-14 hour light cycle daily with full spectrum bulbs.
• Nutrition: Feed a high-quality omnivore diet 2-3x per week and fast 1-2 days weekly.
• Hygiene: Do weekly 30-50% water changes and thoroughly clean habitat monthly.

Costing

The initial set up costs for housing an adult musk turtle range from $300-500 factoring in the enclosure, filters, lighting, infrastructure, and other supplies. Annual maintenance such as food, utilities, and vet visits typically amount to $150-250 per year.

Possible Behavioral Changes of a Fully Grown Turtle

As musk turtles mature, their behavior and habits do change significantly from juveniles. Adults become much less active swimmers, instead preferring to rest quietly on the bottom or hide most of the time. Interaction with owners also decreases as they are shy and reclusive. Basking periods may shorten as well.

Notable Characteristics of a Fully Grown Turtle

Some things to note about mature adult musk turtles include their duller shell coloring, stronger jaw bite, larger size that demands more tank space, and sedentary tendencies. Their scent glands also become more developed to release pungent odors, especially males during breeding season.

When is a Musk Turtle Considered "Fully Grown"?

Most musk turtles reach sexual maturity and adulthood between 4-6 years of age. However, their growth may continue at a slower pace for a year or two after this. As a general guideline, musk turtles that have maintained the same weight and shell size for 6 months or more can be considered fully grown and mature adults.

Suitability as a Pet

While cute as juveniles, musk turtles are not always ideal pets for families with young children once fully grown due to their reclusive nature. Experienced herpetologists, however, can provide the special care needs of mature adults. Be sure your lifestyle accommodates a long commitment of 15-25 years before taking on a musk turtle.

Conclusion

With the proper research done beforehand, mature musk turtles can make engaging, low-maintenance pets for devoted owners. Just be prepared for the differences in care and activity levels required compared to when they are small juveniles. By understanding the needs of adult musk turtles, you can determine if committing to one long-term is the right choice for your living situation and lifestyle.