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Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone Ferox)

Description of Florida Softshell Turtle

The Florida Softshell Turtle is a species of softshell turtle native to the eastern United States, primarily in the state of Florida. It is the largest of the New World softshell turtles (which are all believed to have originated in the Old World).

  • Family: Trionychidae
  • Genus: Apalone
  • Scientific Name: Apalone ferox
  • Aquatic/Land: Water
  • Size: up to 29.9 in (76cm)
  • Weight: up to 96 lbs (43.6kg)
  • Color: White, Creme, or Brown

Individual specimens have been found released to the wild well outside of their range, but they are not known to be established outside of their native area.

The adult softshell turtles typically have dark brownish-green to tan shells with blotches on their skins and sometimes the shells. The shells are covered with skin and are soft around the edges. They are strong swimmers and thus do well in deeper water habitats.

Florida Softshell Turtle Habitat

The Florida softshell turtle ranges on the southern South Carolina to Mobile Bay, Alabama from southeastern lower Coastal Plain. They are found in a wide variety of freshwater habitats including ponds, lakes, rivers, canals, swamps, and suburban/ urban stormwater ponds.

They prefer slow-moving, shallow water with abundant aquatic and soft bottom vegetation. The softshell turtle will readily migrate over land to nearby wetter areas if their wetland dries.

Florida Softshell Turtle Diet

The Florida softshell is carnivorous and feeds on insects, snails, crustaceans, amphibians, and fish (live and dead), as well as aquatic plants and algae.

They hunt and chase down prey as well as scavenge. They burrow into the mud near a bank or shore, extending the snout to the surface for air and wait for frogs, fish, and small crustaceans.

Florida Softshell Turtle Breeding

The female softshell can nest more times annually and lay more eggs in one season than most reptiles. One of the rare purposes for a softshell turtle to leave the water is to lay eggs.

Like most turtles, when the mother is ready to lay, she leaves the water and either finds an existing nest, such as an alligators, or digs a hole in a soft, sandy area near the water.

She will lay anywhere from 10 – 30 eggs at a time. The softshell turtle is a large species, reaching lengths between 28 and 62 cm (11 to 24 inches); females are significantly larger than males.

After a few months, if the egg hasn’t been compromised, tiny hatchlings will begin to crack out of the shells, using their claws and egg tooth to make their way into the world. They generally emerge in August or September and are on their own as soon as they are born.

Florida Softshell Turtle Care

The Florida softshell turtles are cute, smart, and fun pets to have. Florida softshells may live more than 30 years in captivity. Most importantly, they can grow to be quite large, so it’s important to know how to care for them.

Air temps should be around 75 to 85 degrees, and water temps should be kept in the range of 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. When they swim, they stay under water and stick their noses up to breathe, like a snorkel. Of course, clean, filtered water is a must for keeping Florida softshells healthy.

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Melissa brown

Saturday 12th of August 2023

Found one is our salt-water pool. What do I do? I live in Jensen Beach, FL

Janet lemyre

Tuesday 28th of July 2020

We have a Florida soft shell turtle that layed eggs in our back yard 40 - 45 days ago. No hatchlings yet. When can we expect hatchlings? Actually she layed her eggs in two different places about 200 yards apart. Thank you for your answer. We await like expectant grandparents. Sincerely, Janet Lemyre

Janet lemyre

Tuesday 14th of July 2020

A Florida soft shell turtle layed eggs 40 days ago in my back yard and my neighbors. So far no sign of them hatching. What should I look for?