An unusual turtle with a leathery, pancake-flat shell instead of hard scutes. Excellent swimmers with a long snorkel-like nose for breathing while buried in mud. They look almost prehistoric in motion.

Also called: Spiny Softshell

Native status: Native to eastern and central US

§ Quick facts

SizeShell length 12–46 cm (5–18 in); females much larger than males
Weight200 g – 12 kg (range; females up to 12 kg, males rarely over 1 kg)
LifespanWild 25–50+ years
OrderTestudines
FamilyTrionychidae

§ Encyclopedia

The spiny softshell turtle is a species of softshell turtle, one of the largest freshwater turtle species in North America. Both the common name, spiny softshell, and the specific name, spinifera (spine-bearing), refer to the spiny, cone-like projections on the leading edge of the carapace, which are not scutes (scales).

Source: Wikipedia — Spiny softshell turtle Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Distinctive flat leathery brown shell with small dark spots and prominent ridges along the front edge (the "spiny" feature); long flexible snorkel-like snout; tube-like nostrils.

Similar species. Smooth Softshell Turtle (no spines; different river systems). Florida Softshell (much larger; different range). Hard-shelled turtles (totally different shell structure).

Voice. Hisses defensively; can deliver painful bite with sharp jaws.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Carnivorous: fish, crayfish, aquatic insects, snails, tadpoles, occasional amphibians or carrion.

Behavior. Highly aquatic — spends most of life in water with only nostrils exposed at surface. Pancake-flat leathery shell allows fast swimming and burial in sandy stream bottoms. Can extract oxygen from water through specialized skin in the throat (pharyngeal respiration), allowing hours-long underwater stays. Females migrate up to 1 km to nest on sandy banks; nests vulnerable to raccoons, skunks, and other predators.

§ Range

Eastern US from New York to the Mississippi River

§ Habitat

Large clean rivers and lakes with sandy bottoms

§ Threats

River pollution, sand-mining of nest beaches, road mortality of nesting females.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the eastern spiny softshell is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Reduce sediment and chemical runoff to large rivers. Maintain natural sand beaches. Don't disturb nesting females (May–June).

Support our work More ways to help

§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Turtle Conservation Coalition
  • Davidson College Herpetology Lab
  • iNaturalist
  • IUCN Red List 2011