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Project Noah Nature School
Apalone spinifera
Spotted on Aug 15, 2012
Submitted on Dec 12, 2012
3 Comments
Aww, young softshells are so much fun! My brother had a keen eye for ss hatchlings when we were younger and I can't remember a time when we didn't have at least one digging into the aquarium sand and just sticking their little heads out. They are not always the nicest, but I kind of like their spunky attitudes. I can't say I blame them if they are irritable. It seems almost wrong to be a turtle and not have that nice, keratinized shell for protection.
Actually, I was able to pick this little guy up right off the bank. I was wondering why he was so lethargic when I realized he only had 3 legs! Apparently, they are even prone to nipping at each other. I'm guessing his leg was bitten of by another soft shell or a predator of some kind. I took him home, fattened him up, and treated his leg until it healed. I released him after about a month of rehabilitation. He's a lucky little guy! And once he felt better, yes, he tried to bite me several times. Talk about biting the hand that feeds you!
Odd looking creatures, aren't they? Nice pic. I've heard soft shells are a bit irritable and prone to biting. This fellow seems pretty mellow- no trouble holding it?