The Distribution and Ecology of Two Kinosternid Turtles in Iowa

Abstract

Over 4 years of study have shown that little, if any, shift occurs in the habitat preferences or behavior of Illinois mud turtles and stinkpot turtles in Iowa, at the extreme edge of the species' ranges. The mud turtle is restricted in Iowa to ephemeral ponds associated with Sparta sand or Chelsea loamy fine sand. The stinkpot is restricted to permanent water with Colo silty clay loam, aquolls, Ankeny sandy loam or other alluvial soils. While stinkpots will tkse ephemeral pools, permanent water must be nearby. Although mud turtles may occasionally be found in permanent bodies of water, we suspect that this condition is probably transient, with ephemeral pools probably a requirement to limit competing species.