In reality, the Musk Turtle is small and stealthy.

Recovery Strategy for the Eastern Musk Turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) in Canada

Happily, the Musk Turtle was recently discovered in Lac Saint-François.

DESCRIPTION: The Eastern Musk Turtle is easily recognized by its narrow, high arched shell.

The destruction and alteration of habitats particularly threaten this species in Québec.

Environment Canada recently posted the Recovery Strategy for four turtle species (Eastern Musk Turtle, Spiny Softshell Turtle, Blanding’s Turtle, and Spotted Turtle), and the Management Plan for an additional two...

Some of these are “species at risk” (i.e. least bitterns and stink pot turtles).

Eastern Musk Turtle Mean 7 m, range 3 to 11 m Semlitsch and Bodie 2003 Review of one study

In March of 2015 the Ecomuseum Zoo was granted crucial support from its partners in order to undertake an important conservation project for one of Québec’s lesser known turtles: the Musk Turtle.

The reason why the Eastern Musk Turtle is also called Stinkpot is that it can release a foul-smelling liquid to discourage possible attackers.

This will ensure that the Musk Turtles and other species that live in the same environment, can continue to thrive for years to come.

In order to best define how to help the Musk Turtle we must first determine where they live and how the population is doing.

Two small turtles, the 10 cm "stinkpot" or musk (Sternotherus odoratus) and the 13 cm spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), have a scattered distribution over southern Ontario and, in the latter case, southern Québec.

As a result of the tireless work of our experienced team, we are pleased to confirm the presence of a second population of Musk Turtles in Québec.

A plan for intervention will be drafted designating clearly the zones to prioritize for the actions that will be required to better protect the Musk Turtle’s habitat in Lac Saint-François.