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Definition of loggerhead musk turtle
loggerhead musk turtle
Plural:loggerhead musk turtles
• noun
1
North American A small species of aquatic turtle (Sternotherus minor) native to the southeastern United States, characterized by an exceptionally large head in adults and the ability to release a foul-smelling musk when threatened.
Example
"During our kayak trip down the Florida spring, we spotted a loggerhead musk turtle basking briefly on a submerged log before it slipped back into the water."
Word Nuance & Usage
Care must be taken not to confuse the loggerhead musk turtle, a small freshwater species, with the loggerhead sea turtle, which is a massive, strictly marine reptile.
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Loggerhead musk turtle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/loggerhead-musk-turtle