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Softshell turtle

Apalone spp.

Published on Project Noah
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38.1008, -84.1087

Field Notes

Description:

My grandfather saw this turtle while he was out working.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
Aaron_G
Hi there. I've gone ahead and have added the common and scientific names for you. :-)
NeilDazet
It is either a Spiny softshell turtle or a Smooth softshell turtle. The spiny version is much more common in KY. It has little spikes at the edge of the front of its shell. I don't see any here in this pic, but that part of the pic looks a little blurry. The Smooth version has a distribution that parallels the Ohio River on both sides. It is hard to tell from the maps I'm looking at if that range includes Lexington. So as of now, I can't say one way or another.
LivanEscudero
It is a a Soft-shell Turtle (Apalone sp.) I'm not sure but it may be a Spiny Soft-shell (Apalone spinifera) There are a few species that could be in Kentucky.

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Reptiles of the World
Photographed
PublishedJune 22, 2012

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