Details
Apalone spinifera
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.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
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.
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.
Active by day, it can vanish quickly into sand or mud. It swims fast and basks, but usually stays close to water.
It feeds mainly on aquatic insects, crayfish, mollusks and small fish. A long neck and quick strike help it take bottom-dwelling prey.
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.
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.
