# Spiny Softshell Turtle (*Apalone spinifera*) The Spiny Softshell Turtle has a flat, soft shell that helps it swim easily in the water. They are great at hiding in the sand or mud at the bottom of rivers! - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 26 - **Habitat:** Rivers, lakes, and ponds - **Also known as:** Eastern Softshell Turtle, Western Softshell Turtle ![Spiny Softshell Turtle](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426810/objects/5626.jpg) ## Appearance The Spiny Softshell Turtle has a unique flat, leathery shell that is olive to brown, often with dark spots, and lacks typical hard plates. It features small spiny projections near its head and a long, pig-like snorkel snout, making it visually distinct. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Testudines - **Order:** Testudines - **Family:** Trionychidae - **Genus:** Apalone ## Interesting facts - Their flat, leathery shell feels like tough skin, not hard bone! - Their unique spotted patterns beautifully change as they grow older. - These turtles are super fast, darting through water like a torpedo! - They often bury themselves completely in sand or mud, disappearing! ## Special abilities - **Water Breather:** Spiny Softshell Turtle can stay underwater longer as special throat linings absorb oxygen directly from the water. - **Snorkel Nose:** Spiny Softshell Turtle has a long snout it uses like a snorkel, letting it breathe air while hidden underwater. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 13-46 cm - **Weight:** 0.2-4.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 20-50 years - **Swim Speed:** 15 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 4-32 - **Incubation:** 60-90 days - **Maximum Depth:** 2 m ## Diet & Feeding These turtles are fierce hunters, eating fish, insects, and other small aquatic animals. - **Age differences:** Young turtles eat mostly insects, while adults hunt larger prey like fish and crayfish. - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Crayfish, Aquatic insects, Tadpoles, Snails - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — Raccoons frequently raid their nests for eggs. - **Hunts:** [Largemouth Bass](https://www.snappit.app/explore/largemouth-bass) (*Micropterus salmoides*) — Actively hunts and preys on small fish, including bass. - **Hunts:** Northern Crayfish (*Orconectes virilis*) — Feeds on crayfish, catching them with quick movements. - **Hunts:** Green Darner (*Anax junius*) — Eats aquatic insect larvae, like dragonfly nymphs. ## Traits - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Spiky/Thorny](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spiky-thorny): Possessing sharp, pointed projections or spines on the body or surface. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Spiny Softshell Turtle? Compare shell shape, shell markings, head stripes and the shape of the feet. Wear, age and algae can hide shell patterns. Turtle Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Spiny Softshell Turtle? 13-46 cm ### How much does Spiny Softshell Turtle weigh? 0.2-4.5 kg ### How long does Spiny Softshell Turtle live? 20-50 years ### What does Spiny Softshell Turtle eat? These turtles are fierce hunters, eating fish, insects, and other small aquatic animals. ### How fast can Spiny Softshell Turtle swim? 15 km/h ### Where is Spiny Softshell Turtle usually found? Rivers, lakes, and ponds ### How does Spiny Softshell Turtle hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Black Hawk State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-hawk-state-historic-site) — Illinois, US · Park - [Brewton Historic Commercial District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/brewton-historic-commercial-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Chatham Arch](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chatham-arch) — Indiana, US · Neighborhood - [Colonial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/colonial-park) — New Jersey, US · Park - [Columbia Canal](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/columbia-canal) — South Carolina, US · Historic Site - [Desert Garden Conservatory](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/desert-garden-conservatory) — California, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Spiny Softshell Turtle](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/spiny-softshell-turtle) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Spiny Softshell Turtle: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spiny-softshell-turtle)