KINOSTERNIDAE Meaning and
Definition
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Kinosternidae is a noun that refers to a family of small to medium-sized turtles commonly known as mud turtles or musk turtles. It belongs to the order Testudines and is a part of the suborder Cryptodira. The family Kinosternidae encompasses around 24 recognized species spread across the Americas, from the southeastern and central United States to Central and South America, including the Caribbean islands.
These turtles are characterized by their relatively small size, with adult individuals typically reaching lengths of 10 to 20 centimeters (4 to 8 inches). They are also known for their distinctively flattened shells, which aid in their ability to maneuver through mud and water with relative ease.
Members of Kinosternidae are predominantly aquatic animals, often inhabiting freshwater bodies such as ponds, swamps, and slow-moving streams. They are adept swimmers and are known to possess strong smelling glands, which secrete a musky odor when they feel threatened.
These turtles are primarily omnivorous, feeding on a diet that consists of both plant matter and a variety of small aquatic organisms, such as fish, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Due to their relatively small size, many species within the Kinosternidae family are popular as pet turtles. Furthermore, their ability to adapt to different habitat types and their preference for slow-moving and stagnant bodies of water make them relatively easy to keep in captivity.
Common Misspellings for KINOSTERNIDAE
- jinosternidae
- minosternidae
- linosternidae
- oinosternidae
- iinosternidae
- kunosternidae
- kjnosternidae
- kknosternidae
- konosternidae
- k9nosternidae
- k8nosternidae
- kibosternidae
- kimosternidae
- kijosternidae
- kihosternidae
- kinisternidae
- kinksternidae
- kinlsternidae
- kinpsternidae
Etymology of KINOSTERNIDAE
The word "Kinosternidae" is a scientific name used to represent a family of turtles known as mud turtles. The term is derived from the combination of two Greek roots:
1. "Kineo" (κινέω) means "move" or "to set in motion" in Greek.
2. "Sternon" (στέρνον) refers to the chest or breastbone.
When combined, "kinosternidae" literally translates to "movable chest" or "mobile breastbone". This name may have been chosen to describe the unique ability of mud turtles to retract their plastron (the lower part of their shell covering their belly), allowing them to have greater mobility and flexibility compared to other turtle species.
Similar spelling words for KINOSTERNIDAE
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