Ephemeral pools are frequently used. Feeding begins later in May and continues through the middle of July. The mud turtle has the shortest feeding and activity period of any North American turtle. Apparently, mud turtles leave the the quickly drying pools in late July to begin aestivation. They choose upland sandy dunes and bury themselves until the following spring.
Clutch size varies from one to nine eggs.
Although not supported from Iowa data, females have been found to aestivate with the eggs. The hatchlings are about 18 - 20 mm long. They reach sexual maturity at about 8 - 12 cm. Food Mud turtles feed mostly on fish, crustaceans, snails, insects, and some plant material during their short, two month feeding period. It is thought that food is obtained and eaten in the water, but it is unknown whether food is consumed while on land.