Mud turtles are divided into five species, K. baurii, K. Subrubrum, K.s. hippocrepis, K. flavescens, and the K.hirtopes murrayi. The colors of the mud turtles tend to be dull, compared to other types of turtles. The plastron of the mud turtles is wider and more scaly, both sides of the plastron are hinged. They can get a safe position by pulling their plastron, protecting the head and limbs. They have a musky odor.
Mud turtles are small and wont grow larger than four inches. Usually, the mud turtle males are larger than females. Older males tend to have larger heads and thicker tails than their female counterparts. The plastron of the males are concave and the carapace has notches near the tail. Both male and female mud turtles have barbells on their neck and chin.
They are aquatic in nature, so their feeding habits include water insects, small water animals and larvae found in the water. Young mud turtles tend to be to be more carnivorous but as they get older their habits will change and they will feed on vegetation too. Basking in the sun is characteristic to most mud turtles but there are some species that do not do it. They tend to be aggressive toward each other and bite sometimes.
They are commonly found in the South Eastern United States and they live along shallow, slow moving waters. Other areas that they populate might include the mud, on shore, or in the water.