mud turtle

noun

1. any of several small, freshwater turtles of the family Kinosternidae, of North and South America, as the dark-brown Kinosternon subrubrum, of the U.S.

mud turtle

noun

1. any of various small turtles of the genus Kinosternon and related genera that inhabit muddy rivers in North and Central America: family Kinosternidae

Word History and Origins

Origin of mud turtle¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

A Hail-Mary search for endangered mud turtles, which would have held up the development, came up empty.

From New York Times

The area is now home to an estimated 100 manatees as well as hundreds of Adanson’s mud turtles – a species unique to the local lake.

From The Guardian

The species taken included: Florida box turtles, Eastern box turtles, striped mud turtles, Florida mud turtles, chicken turtles, Florida softshell turtles, Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtles, spotted turtles and diamondback terrapins.

From Fox News

Box turtles, for example, have a domed shell, as do Sonoran mud turtles and all tortoises.

From National Geographic

Inside a children’s bedroom in the home, according to federal court records, they found a glass tank with a young crocodile, diamondback terrapins, mud turtles and alligator snapping turtles — all of which are protected species.

From Los Angeles Times