Texas spiny softshell turtle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Apalone spinifera emoryi |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Cryptodira |
| Family: | Trionychidae |
| Genus: | Apalone |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
A. s. emoryi
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| Trinomial name | |
| Apalone spinifera emoryi (Agassiz, 1857)
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| Synonyms | |
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The Texas spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera emoryi) is a special type of spiny softshell turtle. It belongs to the family called Trionychidae, which includes many softshell turtles. This turtle naturally lives in the southwestern United States.
The second part of its scientific name, emoryi, was chosen to honor William Hemsley Emory. He was an officer in the United States Army and a surveyor. A surveyor is someone who measures and maps land.
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About the Texas Spiny Softshell Turtle
The Texas spiny softshell turtle is a subspecies. This means it is a group of animals within a species that has small differences. These differences might be in their looks or where they live. They are still able to breed with other turtles of the same species.
Where Do They Live?
This turtle is found in two states: Texas and New Mexico. They prefer to live near the Rio Grande river. You can also find them in the smaller rivers and streams that flow into the Rio Grande. These smaller rivers are called tributaries.
- They like warm, shallow waters.
- They often hide in sandy or muddy riverbeds.
- They are excellent swimmers and can move very fast in water.
What Do They Look Like?
Texas spiny softshell turtles have a unique look. Unlike many turtles, their shells are not hard. They are soft and leathery. This helps them move easily in the water.
- Their shells are usually flat and round.
- They have small, spiny bumps on the front edge of their shells.
- These bumps give them their "spiny" name.
- They have a long, pointed snout, like a pig's nose.
- This snout helps them breathe while staying hidden underwater.
What Do They Eat?
These turtles are carnivores, meaning they eat meat. They are good hunters in the water. Their diet mainly includes small animals they find in rivers and streams.
- They eat insects and their larvae.
- They also hunt small fish.
- Sometimes, they will eat frogs or tadpoles.
- They use their speed to catch their prey.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Texas spiny softshell turtles lay their eggs on land. The female turtle digs a nest, usually in sand or soft soil near the water. She lays her eggs there.
- The eggs are round and white.
- After laying, the female covers the nest.
- The sun's warmth helps the eggs hatch.
- Baby turtles are very small when they hatch.
- They immediately head for the water to start their lives.
Species Apalone spinifera at The Reptile Database
