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Project Noah Nature School
Apalone spinifera spinifera
The upper shell of a spiny softshell turtle tends towards brown or olive-green. The lower shell is very light to white. Males have darker spots while females are blotched. Females are twice as large at 19 in length. The shell is roughly round and leathery with a leading edge having points called tubercles.
I found this turtle next to a weedy wetland, but there was another larger wetland nearby that was much more open.
I found this softshell on a gravel road. When I first happened upon it I couldn't figure out what it was. It was literally galloping down the road in front of my car. I don't think I've ever seen a turtle do that before. At first all I could see was a shape and I thought it was a badger, because of its rapidity and flattened profile. This was a very large female. While I've seen softshells before I've never been able to photograph one.
Spotted on Jun 27, 2012
Submitted on Jun 28, 2012
2 Comments
Thanks Neil! This was a bit late in the breeding season for these turtles in Minnesota, but perhaps she was looking for a nesting place. Was really amazed at how fast she moved. Here is a video of a softshell on youtube running from danger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyUmGHdK9.... I've seen other turtles in our area run, but this turtle was much faster than any I've ever seen before. Interestingly, once she stopped she never moved again and let me take a bunch of photos of her. Fortunately, she wasn't on a well-traveled road so I left her where I found her. Typically I move turtles off the road in the direction they were headed, but I had no idea which side of the road she was headed for when I came around the corner. Fascinating animal.
Great spotting Gordon! Sometimes aquatic turtles are spotted in the most surprising locations!