Sternotherus odoratus has generally been placed in the genus Sternotherus since Stejneger (1923), but was briefly included in the genus Kinosternon by Seidel et al. (1986) until Iverson (1998) returned it to Sternotherus. Walker et al. (1997) identified significant phylogeographic structure in S. odoratus based on mitochondrial haplotypes, but made no taxonomic recommendations pending additional data. Studies of geographic variation in nuclear DNA and morphology are badly needed.

Sternotherus odoratus is a very widespread, adaptable, and often abundant species. Some marginal populations may have local conservation interest (e.g., those in Canada, Iowa, and Vermont), but the species is not threatened in its existence at this time or in the near future. We assess it as Least Concern (LC) at this time, as it was also assessed previously in 2011 (van Dijk 2011).

Sternotherus odoratus is widely distributed in the eastern and central United States (Maine to southern Wisconsin, Texas and Florida) and southeastern Canada (southeastern Ontario and adjoining extreme southern Quebec) (Iverson 1992, Ernst et al. 1994, TTWG 2021). A single record from Rio Sauz, Sauz, Chihuahua, Mexico, considered by Moll and Williams (1963), Smith and Smith (1979), and Legler and Vogt (2013) to possibly pertain to a naturally occurring but now extinct population, was considered invalid by Iverson (1992) and others. The estimated historical indigenous range (area of occupancy, AOO) of S. odoratus was 2,354,096 sq. km and the estimated historical extent of occurrence (EOO) was 4,565,464 sq. km (TTWG in press). The species has the fourth largest distribution range among all North American turtles (TTWG 2021). The species occurs at altitudes from 0 to 1,170 m asl, with the maximum record in North Carolina (Palmer and Braswell 1995).

Sternotherus odoratus can be expected to occur in nearly any body of fresh water within its native range, with reported densities ranging from 8–700 individuals per hectare, and 6.1 to 41.7 kg / ha biomass (review by Iverson and Meshaka 2006). Population densities and habitat use may be influenced when living in sympatry with other Sternotherus, such as S. carinatus and S. minor (Riedle et al. 2015, Munscher et al. 2020). When occurring in areas outside of competitive pressure and with subsidized food sources such as Giant Ramshorn snails (Marisa cornuarietis), populations of S. odoratus can reach densities as high as 1,600 individuals per hectare (Munscher et al. 2019).

Sternotherus odoratus inhabits a wide variety of flowing and standing waterbodies, including deep water systems (up to 9 m), but does not tolerate saline water. It can also tolerate considerably degraded habitats in urban, suburban and agricultural settings (Connor et al. 2005). The species is a preferentially carnivorous omnivore. Males reach up to 14 cm straightline carapace length (SCL) and females to 15 cm SCL, though averaging 7–10 cm; maximum size and sexual dimorphism show geographic trends, with the smallest and most dimorphic (males smaller) turtles occurring in Florida while the largest and least dimorphic turtles occur in the north (Iverson and Meshaka 2006). Maturity is reached in 2–7 years at 50–65 mm SCL (males), and 3–11 years and 62-85 mm SCL in females, depending on location. Longevity of over 54 years has been demonstrated in captivity (Conant and Hudson 1949, Slavens and Slavens 2000), while longevity in the wild has been estimated at 20–30 years (Gibbons 1987). Generation time has not been calculated, but is estimated at 10–15 years based on modeling by Iverson (2024). For comparison, generation time of Kinosternon flavescens was estimated at 28 years for females maturing at an average age of 11 years (Iverson 1991) and that for K. subrubrum was estimated at 9.4–10.9 years for females maturing at four years (Frazer et al. 1991). Females produce 1–6 clutches annually of about 2–4 eggs (range 1–9), depending on location. Eggs average about 26 mm x 15 mm, and egg size is negatively correlated with latitude (Ernst and Lovich 2009). Incubation usually takes 60–107 days (range 56–132), depending on location. Hatchlings measure 17–26 mm (reviews in Iverson and Meshaka 2006, Ernst and Lovich 2009). The species exhibits temperature-dependent sex determination (Ewert and Nelson 1991), with females produced at high temperatures and males produced at low temperatures.

No significant or major anthropogenic threats have been documented; the species was considered to be "the last turtle species to be negatively affected by environmental degradation" by Buhlmann et al. (2008). Although it rarely ventures far from water, road mortality of nesting females can be substantial, as can mortality from fisheries bycatch (see references in Iverson and Meshaka 2006).

Modest numbers of Sternotherus odoratus occur in the pet trade (Hofer and Artner 2001, Nijman and Shepherd 2014).

In Canada, Sternotherus odoratus is listed federally as “Species at Risk” as well as listed by the Ontario Endangered Species Act as “Special Concern” due to its peripheral distribution in Canada. These measures provide some protection to individuals of the species and their habitat in Canada. It is a species of conservation concern in some states in the USA (Iowa, Vermont). It has been listed in CITES Appendix II, as Sternotherus spp. since 2023.