|
|
 |
Florida Softshelled Turtle
Trionyx ferox
{Species
Archive Index}
 
photo ©FMNP
Identifiers- flattened, oval, olive brown carapace covered
with thick skin,
bumps on leading edge of shell, snorkel-like nose
- females larger 18-20", males 6-10" with longer tail
Adaptations-
large webbed feet with 3 claws, long neck
Status-
common to abundant in slow moving aquatic systems
Distribution-
throughout Florida
Habitat- ponds, lakes, ditches,
swamps
Reproduction- 10-25 eggs per clutch, several clutches per
summer
Diet- crayfish, snails, frogs, fish,
and small birds
Fun facts
- largest softshell freshwater turtle in North America
- handle carefully, sharp claws and strong jaws
- hunted for turtle meat, sometimes babies sold in pet trade
- 2 other softshell subspecies in Florida, T. muticus calvatus, T.
spiniferus asperus
{Species
Archive Index} |
