Sternotherus minor was formerly considered to consist of two subspecies (Sternotherus minor minor and S. m. peltifer) with a broad zone of intergradation in the Escambia, Yellow, Choctawhatchee, and Conecuh rivers in southern Alabama and the panhandle of Florida (Tinkle 1958, Iverson 1977, Seidel et al. 1981, Ernst et al. 1988). However, recent phylogenomic analyses (Scott et al. 2018) found the populations in the supposed zone of intergradation to be a separate taxon most closely related to S. m. minor, and S. m. peltifer most closely related to S. depressus. This resulted in the description of S. intermedius (Scott et al. 2018), covering the populations in southern Alabama and the panhandle of Florida, and the elevation of S. m. minor and S. m. peltifer to full species status (S. minor and S. peltifer, respectively). All the Sternotherus species have on occasion in the past been placed in the genus Kinosternon (Seidel et al. 1986, Iverson 1992), but have more recently been considered to be distinct (Iverson 1998, TTWG 2021).

Sternotherus minor is a generally common to extremely abundant freshwater turtle that inhabits a variety of freshwater habitats across its range. Despite the split of the previous species concept of S. minor (sensu lato) resulting in the separation of S. peltifer as a separate species rather than a subspecies of S. minor, and the description of S. intermedius, the reduced species concept of S. minor (sensu stricto) in its resultant much smaller range is not specifically exploited or impacted by significant threats, and we consider its current conservation assessment to be Least Concern (LC). It was previously also assessed as Least Concern in 2011 when it encompassed both then-recognized subspecies, S. m. minor and S. m. peltifer (van Dijk 2011).

Sternotherus minor can be found in permanent aquatic habitats within the Ogeechee, Altamaha, Satilla, Suwannee, Ochlockonee, Apalachicola, Withlacoochie, St. Johns and Hillsborough river drainages, as well as smaller watersheds between these drainages. It occurs from at least as far north as Athens, Georgia, to its southern terminus near Orlando, Florida (Zappalorti and Iverson 2006, TTWG 2021). The estimated historical indigenous range (area of occupancy, AOO) was 154,167 sq. km (TTWG 2021) and the estimated historical indigenous extent of occurrence (EOO) was 198,507 sq. km (TTWG in press). The species ranges in elevation from near sea level to 180 m asl.

Sternotherus minor is generally abundant in suitable habitat; the highest turtle density recorded concerns this species, routinely being estimated at densities over 100 animals per hectare (review by Zappalorti and Iverson 2006), with the highest calculated density at 2,857 animals per hectare in a northwestern Florida springhead (Cox and Marion 1979), and over 500 individuals being observed in a day of snorkelling (Marchand 1942, in Zappalorti and Iverson 2006). There were reportedly no records of this species in Rainbow Run, Florida, in the 1940s, suggesting the species may have entered and established itself there since that time, having attained an estimated density of 127 animals/ha, 12.5 kg/ha, or 66% of total turtle biomass by 1992 (Meylan et al. 1992). Long-term mark-recapture studies continue to monitor populations of S. minor from spring runs and rivers. In most studies in these habitats, S. minor is the most abundant turtle (Chapin and Meylan 2011, Johnston et al. 2016, Munscher et al. 2020), though its abundance may be lower in downstream blackwater habitat (Johnston et al. 2016). Population size estimates are generally unavailable outside of Florida. However, the species does appear to be relatively common in stream and river habitats in Georgia (G.J. Brown and M. Welc pers. obs.).

Sternotherus minor inhabits a variety of aquatic habitats: clear waters with sand bottoms and submerged fallen trees and snags, such as spring heads and runs, are preferred, but the species is also known from creeks, rivers, oxbows, swamps, and sinkhole ponds (Zappalorti and Iverson 2006, Ernst and Lovich 2009). Rivers and creeks appear to be preferred outside of central Florida, where spring heads and runs are uncommon. The species is mainly carnivorous, feeding on a variety of aquatic invertebrates when young, but shifting to a diet dominated by freshwater snails and clams as it grows (Zappalorti and Iverson 2006, Ernst and Lovich 2009). Males mature at about 3–6 yrs of age at about 5.5–6.0 cm straightline carapace length (SCL) and may reach up to 14.4 cm SCL; females mature at about 5–8 yrs of age at about 7–8 cm SCL; females grow only slightly larger than males, reaching 14.5 cm SCL (Etchberger and Ehrhart 1987, Cox et al. 1991, Zappalorti and Iverson 2006, Ernst and Lovich 2009, TTWG 2021, Heston et al. 2022). As such, if we assume sexual maturity at ca 6–7 yrs, then generation time can be estimated as ca 13–15 yrs (Iverson 2024). In Florida populations, female S. minor can produce about three (1–5) clutches of about 3.3 (1–5) eggs annually, with most females annually producing roughly 6–12 eggs annually across all clutches. Eggs are typically 29–31 mm long, 16–19 mm wide, and weigh 5–7 g (Iverson 1978, Heston et al. 2002, Ernst and Lovich 2009). Incubation time in Florida is around 100 days (Iverson 1978, Heston et al. 2022). Hatchlings measure 2.2–3.0 cm SCL and have a mass of about 3.0 g. Longevity can exceed 21 years in the wild (Zappalorti and Iverson 2006, Ernst and Lovich 2009; E. Munscher pers. comm.), and the record in captivity is 23.9 years (Slavens and Slavens 2000). Most published literature on S. minor has concerned studies undertaken in central Florida, with comparatively little information available on diet and life history from Alabama and Georgia.

Threats to Sternotherus minor include the degradation and alteration of aquatic habitats, as well as human recreation in these areas. Riedle et al. (2016) noted that declines or detections of the species could be due to defoliation by increased human occupation and defoliation of spring runs in winter months as well as de-snagging of spring heads for recreational purposes. Incidental capture and mortality in crayfish traps has been observed in Florida (M. Welc and J.G. Brown pers. obs., M. Knoerr and J. Mays pers. comm.), and similar instances of mortality as bycatch is known to have impacts on population size in other species (e.g., Malaclemys terrapin). Though rare due to the highly aquatic habitats of S. minor, road mortality is also a potential threat to females in search of nesting sites. The species is also present in the pet trade.

Modest numbers of Sternotherus minor occur in the pet trade, and it has been traded in Europe at least since the 1970s (Sachsse 1977, Felsner 1999, Becker 2003).

Sternotherus minor occurs in a substantial number of protected springheads and spring runs in Florida (e.g., Ichetucknee, Blue Springs, Alexander Springs, Manateee Springs, and Rainbow Springs Park, for example), and presumably in other protected areas. The species was historically regarded to include populations that are now considered distinct species (S. intermedius and S. peltifer) (Scott et al. 2018). The current concept of S. minor (sensu stricto) has a much smaller range than it did under the former classification. Perhaps because of this, the species is not listed as being of conservation concern in Alabama, Florida, or Georgia, even though it now only occurs peripherally in Alabama with very few observations of true S. minor. Additionally, genomic analyses from Scott et al. (2018) found evidence that there are two genetic subpopulations within S. minor, and further research should focus on whether these two populations represent evolutionarily significant units (ESU) that might need separate evaluations. Recommended conservation measures include public awareness and education to reduce wanton destruction of this and other turtle species, as well as appropriate management of protected and other suitable habitats. The species has been listed in CITES Appendix II as Sternotherus spp. since 2023.