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533 Featured Specimen
Spiny softshell turtle

Details

Spiny softshell turtle

Apalone spinifera

Size
Total length 12–54 cm · 0.3–12 kg
Diet
Carnivore
Activity
Diurnal
Sociality
Solitary
Lifespan

The spiny softshell is a large North American freshwater turtle. Its flat leathery shell, snorkel-like nose and small front-edge spines set it apart.

Range

Habitat range map
Native range Occasional / Transient
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Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It is widespread in southern Canada and the United States in rivers, lakes, ponds, oxbows and bayous. Shallow fresh water with sand or mud bottom is favored.

Appearance

Adults range from 12-54 cm and about 250 g to 12 kg, with females much larger than males. The olive to brown shell often shows spots or ring marks.

Behavior

Active by day, it can vanish quickly into sand or mud. It swims fast and basks, but usually stays close to water.

Feeding

It feeds mainly on aquatic insects, crayfish, mollusks and small fish. A long neck and quick strike help it take bottom-dwelling prey.

Reproduction

Females come ashore in spring and summer to nest in sandy soil and may lay more than one clutch. Warm exposed nests incubate the eggs.

Notes

The species is widespread overall, but northern populations and some subspecies are sensitive to water degradation and wetland disturbance. The soft shell is easily damaged.