STERNOTHERUS ODORATUS

DISTRIBUTION and HABITAT
Sternotherus odoratus is found in southern Canada, in the eastern United States, particularly the states of Texas.

BEHAVIOURAL CHARACTERISTICS
It’s a turtle that’s not swimming-friendly and prefers to stay in shallow water.
During the day she basks both on the banks of the basins where she lives and climbing on the outcropping roots but also on the trees: she is an excellent climber and reaches remarkable heights, while if she feels in danger she does not hesitate to jump into the water.
It has evident nocturnal habits also with very big dark eyes.
Sternotherus Odoratus hibernates during the colder months, it does not bear the too high summer temperatures for which it is very frequent the estivation.

KEEPING IN CAPTIVITY
Sternotherus Odoratus is a turtle that is able to adapt very well to our climates and if properly stabulated it is possible to breed them all year round, excluding the coldest mountain areas.
It is necessary to build a pond of minimum size 3 x 2 meters and with a depth of at least 1 meter with about 30 cm of muddy or sandy bottom to allow the Sternotherus odoratus to pass unharmed hibernation with our temperatures quite rigid.

Source: Tarta Club Italia