Florida Softshell Turtle

The Florida softshell turtle, known by its scientific name Apalone ferox, is a special kind of turtle living in Florida and nearby states. It looks different from most turtles you may have seen.

Most turtles have hard shells. But not this one. The Florida softshell turtle has a soft, leathery shell. It belongs to a turtle family called Trionychidae, which means “softshell turtles.”

In this article, you’ll learn some cool facts about the Florida softshell turtle. Let’s know all about this amazing reptile from North America.

What is a Florida Softshell Turtle?

Scientists call the Florida softshell turtle, Apalone ferox, a special freshwater turtle. It lives mostly in Florida and other parts of the southeastern United States.

One thing that makes this turtle stand out is its shell. Unlike most turtles with hard shells, this one has a soft, leathery shell. That’s actually where it gets its name—”softshell” turtle.

It also has a long, tube-shaped nose and webbed feet, which help it swim fast. Its body is flat and round, like a pancake. These features make it look very different from other turtles you may know.

Even though it might look calm, the Florida softshell turtle can be aggressive if it feels scared or bothered. It has strong jaws and won’t hesitate to bite if it needs to protect itself.

What Does A Florida Softshell Turtle Look Like?

The Florida softshell turtle has some cool features that make it easier to spot than other turtles. Here are some of the key traits:

Soft, Leathery Shell: Unlike most turtles with hard, bony shells, the Florida softshell turtle has a smooth, soft shell. This shell, called a carapace, is flat and does not have the scales (scutes) many other turtles have.
Long, Tubular Snout: One of its most unique parts is its long, tube-like nose. This special nose works like a snorkel. It helps the turtle breathe even when it is mostly underwater.
Large Webbed Feet: Its feet are big and have webbing between the toes. This helps the turtle swim very well. Each foot has three claws. The family name Trionychidae means “three-clawed.”
Body Colour: The body is usually dark brown to olive green, sometimes almost black. Young turtles might show bright orange or yellow marks, but these fade as they grow older.
Size: Females are much larger than males. A full-grown female can be as long as 2.5 feet, while males are much smaller.
Pancake-like Shape: This turtle’s body is flat, like a pancake.
Behaviour: These turtles love the water. They live most of their lives in it. You might see them basking along the water’s edge. However, if they feel scared or threatened, they can move very quickly. They might even hiss and try to bite if they feel cornered.
Location: They mostly live in the southeastern United States. You can find them mainly in Florida and the southern parts of Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Male vs. Female: Female Florida softshell turtles are usually twice the size of males. Also, in females, the claws on their back feet are longer than those on the front. In males, it is the other way around. The male turtle’s tail sticks out well beyond its shell, while a female’s tail stays hidden under her shell.

Florida Softshell Turtles vs. Other Softshell Turtles in Florida

Did you know three different kinds of softshell turtles live in Florida? Let’s look at how the Florida softshell turtle differs from the other two types—the smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica) and the spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera).

Here’s an easy way to tell them apart:

This one lives all over Florida, not just one part.
Its shell is dark olive to brown, sometimes almost black.
It looks darker and bigger than the other two softshell turtles in Florida.
It has a leathery shell and a big, strong body.
It’s also the largest softshell turtle in North America!

Smooth Softshell Turtle

Found only in the Panhandle area of Florida.
As the name says, this turtle has a very smooth shell—no little spines or bumps.
The shell can be tan or olive, with a few spots or blotches sometimes.
Its chin and throat are pale and don’t have any markings.

Spiny Softshell Turtle

They are found only in the Panhandle.
They have tiny spiny bumps on the front edge of its shell.
The shell looks rougher than the smooth softshell.
It may have lots of patterns or spots on its back.

Where Do Florida Softshell Turtles Live?

Florida softshell turtles love living in freshwater lakes, ponds, slow rivers, streams, and marshes. They feel most at home in water that has a soft, muddy bottom. That’s because they like to dig into the mud and hide, with just their eyes and noses sticking out. This helps them stay safe from predators and makes it easier to surprise their prey.

These turtles don’t just live in natural spots. They can also be found in artificial water areas like retention ponds in cities and neighbourhoods. You’ll even find them in canals, especially in South Florida. If the water in these places is clean and has the same soft, muddy bottom they like, it becomes a great home for them.

When it’s time to lay eggs, female turtles leave the water and walk onto land. They may travel a long way to find the perfect sandy or soft soil to dig a hole and lay their eggs.

The best home for a Florida softshell turtle is one that has:

Clean water
Plenty of food, like small fish, insects, crustaceans (like tiny crabs), molluscs (like snails), and sometimes water plants
Good nesting spots
Little pollution
And not too many people or human activity nearby

These things help the Florida softshell turtle stay safe, healthy, and strong in the wild.

What Do Florida Softshell Turtles Eat?

Florida softshell turtles are mostly meat-eaters. They like to snack on things that live in the water. Their favourite foods are snails and small fish, which comprise most of their meals.

But they don’t stop there! These turtles also eat crustaceans (like tiny crabs), insects, and amphibians like frogs. Sometimes, they’ve even been seen catching and eating small water birds.

Florida softshell turtles are really good hunters. They have strong jaws, a sharp beak, and can move pretty fast in the water. These things help them chase and catch their food.

They’re also opportunistic eaters, which means they’ll eat just about anything that fits in their mouths, as long as it’s something they like and can digest.

So, if it swims, crawls, hops, or floats nearby and looks tasty, there’s a good chance the Florida softshell turtle will try to eat it.

Here you can read about what do box turtles eat.

The Life Cycle of a Florida Softshell Turtle

The life of a Florida softshell turtle starts in the spring and summer. Nesting season runs from late March to July. That’s when female turtles leave the water and head onto land to lay their eggs.

They dig nests in sandy or soft soil, usually slightly away from the water’s edge. Sometimes, they’ll even use nests made by alligators—how wild is that?

Each time a female lays eggs, she can lay between 10 to 30 eggs. But here’s the crazy part—she doesn’t do this just once. She might lay eggs 4 to 6 times in one season! That means over 200 eggs in just one year. That’s one of the highest egg-laying rates of any reptile. The eggs are small, round, and white.

After about 2 to 3 months, the eggs hatch. Out come the tiny hatchlings, which look just like adult turtles, only smaller and brighter in colour. Once they hatch, they crawl out of the nest and head straight to the water.

While they’re young, these baby turtles are in danger from predators. Their small size and soft shells make them an easy target. As they grow up, their bright colours fade, and they look more like adult turtles with darker skin and shells.

Florida softshell turtles usually become adults between 5 to 10 years old. Grown-ups have fewer enemies, but they still have to watch out for humans and big animals.

Even as adults, they keep eating meat. Their diet includes fish, insects, crustaceans, and sometimes a little bit of plant life too.

How Long Do Florida Softshell Turtles Live?

Florida softshell turtles usually live between 20 to 30 years in the wild. That’s a long time. But if they’re living in captivity, like in a zoo or with special care, some of them can live even longer than that. With the right food, clean water, and a safe place to live, these turtles can enjoy a long life!

Florida Softshell Turtle Predators

Adult Florida softshell turtles have few predators because they are big, fast, and have a tough shell that helps protect them. However, the American alligator is their main predator.

When they’re babies, though, they’re much more vulnerable. Juvenile turtles can fall prey to birds of prey, large fish, skunks, armadillos, and even other turtles! Their eggs are also at risk of being eaten by birds and raccoons.

Is the Florida Softshell Turtle Endangered?

Right now, the Florida softshell turtle is not endangered. It’s listed as “Least Concern” by the IUCN, which means it’s not facing any immediate risk of disappearing.

However, the turtles could still face problems, like habitat loss (when their home is destroyed) or illegal hunting. In Florida, though, these turtles’ commercial hunting and selling are banned to help protect them. So while they’re not endangered, we must take care of them.

Conclusion:

The Florida softshell turtle is a unique and interesting animal with a soft shell and long nose. It lives in water and eats things like fish, insects, and snails. While baby turtles have many predators, adults are strong and fast. This turtle is not endangered, but it still needs a safe home to live and grow.