Spiny softshelled turtle
One of the largest freshwater turtles in North America, this turtle gets its name from its shell. “Softshell” comes from the turtle having a soft shell as opposed to a hard one. “Spiny” comes from the spiny, cone-like projections on the edge of the turtle’s shell.
- Conservation StatusEndangered
- Life span50 years
- Body size7.1-21.3 in.
- Native habitat Lakes, rivers, and wetlands of southeast Canada, east central United States, and northeast Mexico
- DietInsects, crustaceans, worms, insects, plant material