Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtle facts for kids

The Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera aspera) is a special kind of softshell turtle. It belongs to the Trionychidae family. You can only find this turtle in the southeastern United States.

Where They Live

Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtles live along the Gulf of Mexico. You can find them from North Carolina all the way to Mississippi. They prefer freshwater places in areas that are not too hot or too cold.

What They Look Like

This turtle, Apalone spinifera aspera, has some unique features. It has two or more black lines on the back edge of its shell. Its shell also has scattered ring-shaped spots. These spots might be hard to see on older female turtles. The edges of their shells are soft and have small spines.

Their head and neck often have yellow and brown stripes. They also have spot-like markings. Their nose is long and points upwards. The underside of their body is whitish or yellow. You can sometimes see their bones through their skin. Their body is usually olive or tan with black speckles. They also have a dark rim around the edge of their shell.

Differences Between Males and Females

Adult male turtles have olive and yellow shells. They have black "eyespots" on their shells. Males also have thicker tails than females. They are smaller, with shells about 12.7 to 24 cm long.

Female turtles are much larger, with shells 24 to 48 cm long. Their shells are darker. Their tail is small and does not go past the edge of their shell. Both males and females have webbed feet for swimming. Their toes end in claws. Large females can live for over 50 years.

Their Home

Gulf Coast spiny softshell turtles live in many freshwater places. These include rivers, lakes, marshes, and even farm ponds. They also live in the bays of larger lakes. They like open areas with not too many plants. They prefer places with sandy or muddy bottoms. They need sandy spots near the water to lay their eggs.

How They Behave

These turtles are active during the day. They spend most of their day warming up in the sun. They also look for food. You can often see them sunning themselves on logs or river banks. If something bothers them, they quickly dive into the water. They then bury themselves in the sand. Only their heads might be visible.

Like most turtles, they can breathe underwater for a long time. During colder months, they stay underwater. They bury themselves in mud or sand. This is a state of rest called dormancy. If they feel threatened, they can extend their long necks. They will snap at an attacker, which can be painful.

What They Eat

Spiny softshell turtles are carnivores. This means they eat other animals. They mostly eat small creatures without backbones. These include crayfish and insects that live in water. When they get bigger, they might also eat small fish.

They find their food under rocks, logs, and branches. They also search along the bottom of lakes, rivers, and streams. Sometimes, they hide in the mud or sand. They wait there to ambush prey that swims by.

Who Eats Them

Spiny softshell turtles have a few natural enemies. These include large fish, raccoons, herons, skunks, and red foxes. Humans also sometimes hunt them. Raccoons, skunks, and foxes often destroy their nests. Young turtles can be eaten by raccoons, herons, and large fish. Adult turtles are usually only hunted by humans. These turtles are shy. They quickly dive and hide under mud and sand to avoid danger.

Species Apalone spinifera at The Reptile Database