Spiny Softshell Turtle

spiny softshell turtle

Spiny Softshell Turtle

Apalone spinifera
Class

Reptilia

Order

Testudines

Family

Trionychidae

Range

Southern Canada, eastern and central United States, northern Mexico

Size

Carapace: Up to 21.25 in

Habitat

Rivers, streams, lakes, and marshes

Young

Clutch: 4 to 30 eggs

Diet

Frogs, tadpoles, fish, worms, aquatic insects, mollusks, and crawfish

IUCN Status

Least Concern

spiny softshell turtle

Unique Shell

Unlike other turtles, the spiny softshell turtle lacks horny scutes. Instead, this species is covered with a tough, pliable, leathery skin.

spiny softshell turtle in pond

Underwater Endurance

This turtle can absorb oxygen through its skin and through the lining of the throat and cloaca, allowing it to hibernate underwater for up to 6 months.

spiny softshell turtle

Fast and Furious

They are strong swimmers with large webbed feet and are extremely fast both on land and in water. If disturbed, they will quickly retreat into the water and bury themselves in sand, leaving only their heads visible.