Softshell turtles truly have soft shells. Their entire shell is mostly thick skin.
Softshell turtles are fast swimmers and spend most of their time in and under the water. When they swim they stay under water and stick their nose up to breathe like a snorkel.
Softshell turtles need to get out of the water and bask in the sun daily. You can see them sitting on rocks as well as sandbars getting the sunshine they require.
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Softshell turtles need to get out of the water and bask in the sun daily. You can see them sitting on rocks as well as sandbars getting the sunshine they require.
Last week I pulled into my driveway and spotted a softshell turtle just sitting across the street looking at me as I got out of my vehicle so I grabbed my camera and started shooting photos. I was not sure what type of turtle it was at first so I stayed far enough away just in case the turtle was hungry. I was able to capture some great photos as the turtle seem to almost be willing to pose for me as I shot photo after photo.
They can be found in a variety of lakes, ponds, rivers, streams and even ditches. Softshells feed on invertebrates, frogs, tadpoles, snails, worms, sometimes fish or crayfish, and a variety of aquatic vegetation as well as small aquatic birds.
Florida softshell turtles are brown with long, round noses, long necks and webbed feet.
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Merry Beth Ryan, a member of the Florida Outdoor Writers Association, can be reached at www.merrybethryanphotography.com, by e-mail at mbr1965@comcast.net or by phone (941) 544-5023.
Softshell turtles are popular house pets but captive turtles require a lot of attention, space and equipment.
Softshell turtles are shy around humans so placing their large tank in a low-noise area is a good idea. They require a soft sandy bottom and ultra-clean water. They spend a great deal of their time buried beneath sandy river bottoms therefore they would enjoy that activity in captivity as well.
Softshell turtle shells are camouflaged to allow them to remain hidden on the bottom of ponds, canals and other wetlands.
Some softshell turtles can bite and are aggressive while others are very docile.
When female softshell turtles lay their eggs their nests can be raided by raccoons, skunks and foxes who love to eat the eggs. So many eggs never get a chance to hatch.
Softshell turtles have been heavily harvested in some areas for their meat. Certain Florida softshell turtle populations have declined because of overharvesting so Florida Fish and Wildlife enacted rules to help protect the turtles. A long-term management strategy is still needed to ensure this unique turtle remains a visible part of Florida's ecosystem.
