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Project Noah Nature School
Apalone spinifera
The spiny softshell can be distinguished from the smooth softshell by the presence of two yellow, black-bordered lines along each side of the head, a row of spines along the front edge of the carapace, and a raised nasal septum, giving the nostrils a "C" shape. Young and males have olive-gray carapaces with small black markings often appearing like thin donuts. Adult females have dark olive or tan carapaces with brown and gray mottling.
Spring fed clear lake
Spotted on Jun 9, 2014
Submitted on Jun 12, 2014
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