Facts About Soft-Shelled Turtles

The spiny soft-shell turtle is one of the largest turtles in North America, inhabiting cool rivers, brackish water or tropical areas around the world. It has a smooth, rounded carapace rimmed with pliable, cone-shaped spines and a long, round snout that extends from the head. The shell itself is leathery and brown, more like thick skin than a shell, and its webbed, clawed feet are good for swimming. One thing to consider before buying a soft-shelled turtle as a pet is that it can be aggressive and bite.

  1. Pets

    • Of all the subspecies of soft-shelled turtle, the Florida soft-shelled turtle is most often sold as a pet; however, because of their aggressive nature toward humans and each other, keep them individually or in small groups. An aquarium should have a thick layer of sand at the bottom so the turtle can burrow beneath it. The water should cover the turtle but shallow enough so the turtle can raise its head above the surface. Soft-shelled turtles are more susceptible to contaminants than other aquatic turtle species, which means that you must keep the water clean. These turtles are reticent around humans and will adapt more readily if you place the aquarium in a quiet place.

    Natural Habitat

    • Soft-shelled turtles like to bask along river banks.

      If you visit them in their natural habitat, soft-shelled turtles like to bask by river banks, often burying themselves in the sand. They can remain underwater for long periods of time and may spend late fall to early spring in a dormant state under the sandy or muddy substrate of a pond or river. They are found in freshwater rivers, lakes, marshes, ponds, bays of the Great Lakes all the way down to Northern Florida, west to Colorado and California. Different subspecies occupy areas in Canada, the U.S., northern Africa, the Mideast, Eastern Europe, Asia and Hawaii.

    Breeding and Hatchlings

    • Mating occurs from March until July, usually in deep water. When they're ready, females dig cavities in sand bars and river banks. Clutches may consist of 9 to 38 eggs, which are oval and about 1 inch in diameter. When hatched, baby turtles are about 1 1/2 inches long and have a yellow-orange stripe around the shell and along the face. Some subspecies have less-distinct markings; some have spiky projections around the edge of the carapace. Keep soft-shelled hatchlings in captivity warm in 70-degree water and feed them guppies, mosquito fish and worms until they acclimate to pelleted aquatic turtle food.

    Diet and Predators

    • Hatchlings eat insects such as worms.

      Soft-shelled turtles are mainly carnivores and eat crayfish, insects such as worms, fish and sometimes aquatic plants. They may search for food or hide in the sand, mud or gravel, waiting for prey to appear. Raccoons, skunks and foxes as well as herons and fish prey on soft-shelled turtles. When threatened, the turtles can extend their long necks and inflict a painful bite.