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Spiny Softshell Turtle

Apalone spinifera

Photo by SarahWhitt
Published on Project Noah
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38.549, -82.3902

Field Notes

Description:

A 16 inch long x 14 inch wide creek turtle found in a hayfield. Smooth back. No sight of tail.

Habitat:

Rural Ohio hayfield.

Notes:

The Spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) is a species of softshelled turtle, one of the largest freshwater turtle species in North America. They get their name from the spiny, cone-like projections on the leading edge of their carapace, which are not scutes (scales).

The spiny softshell has a wide range, extending throughout much of the United States, as well as north into the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and south into the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Baja California, Morelos,and Honduras.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (5)

Interesting, Ashish...thanks for sharing! :)
Fresh water tortoise have soft shell compared to Ocean tortoises. In India we see such tortoises in old age water wells also..!!
Spiny Softshell, Apalone spinifera
Photographed
PublishedJune 2, 2011

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