- Claudius angustatus
Taxobox
name = Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle
status = LR/nt
status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum =Animal ia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Sauropsida
ordo =Testudines
subordo =Cryptodira
superfamilia =Kinosternoidea
familia =Kinosternidae
subfamilia =Staurotypinae
genus = "Claudius"
species = "C. angustatus"
binomial = "Claudius angustatus"
binomial_authority = Cope,1865
synonyms = "Claudius megalocephalus"The Narrow-bridged Musk Turtle ("Claudius angustatus") is a
species ofmusk turtle found inMexico ,Guatemala , andBelize . It is the only species in thegenus "Claudius".Description
Narrow-bridged Musk Turtles are typically
brown in coloration. Theirscute s have lines and graining that makes them almost appear wood-like. They often have brightyellow markings on the edge of thecarapace . As they age,algae often heavily covers their shell, masking their patterning and coloration. Their head is large and bulbous for their size, with a long neck, and a sharp beak. Their shell isdome d, with three distinct ridges down the length. Though classified in the subfamilyStaurotypinae with the "giant" musk turtles, Narrow-bridged Musk Turtles generally only grow to about 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) in length.Behavior
Like all musk turtles, Narrow-bridged Musk Turtles are almost entirely aquatic, and prefer habitats such as slow moving creeks, or shallow ponds that are heavily vegetated. They spend much of their time walking along the bottom foraging for aquatic
invertebrate s,insect s, andcarrion . They have glands under the rear of their shell which they can use to release a foul smellingmusk , hence their common name.References
* [http://ip30.eti.uva.nl/bis/turtles.php?menuentry=soorten&id=223 Turtles of the World: "Claudius angustatus"]
*EMBL species|genus=Claudius|species=angustatus
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