Mud and musk turtles are a family of about 23 species of turtles, all of which are found in North and South America. When they are handled these turtles release a foul smelling, musky odor - which gives them their common name. They are found mainly in slow-moving bodies of water with lots of vegetation. They are all carnivorous, eating crustaceans, aquatic insects, molluscs, annelid worms, amphibians, and small fish.
Tanya Dewey (author), Animal Diversity Web.