Overwintering Behavior and Predation in Common Musk Turtles (Sternotherus odoratus)

We studied the overwintering behavior of common musk turtles (Sternotherus odoratus) near the northern edge of the species’ range using radiotelemetry. The turtles (n = 6) were found under the ice in winter in shallow (< 2 m) water, above sediments, in locales with abundant aquatic vegetation, and temperatures ranging between 0.4° and 1.7°C. American mink (Mustaela vison) appear to have killed 6 of the 9 radiotagged turtles, and 13 other common musk turtles in the same area during the winter, indicating that winter predation is an important source of mortality in this species.