Eastern Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera spinifera. 1827. See Key to Illinois Turtles for help with identification. Hist. website to learn about the spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) and the smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica). We weren’t sure if the turtle had swallowed the hook or … The Smooth Softshell's distribution in Indiana follows major rivers, including the Wabash, Ohio, and Blue. … Only the latter is found in Illinois. Relatively nonagressive. These turtles are members of the family Trionychidae, which has a total of two representatives in Indiana. At roughly half that size, the spiny and smooth softshell turtles are more manageable as pets. St. H. Mem. Description: Medium-sized (up to 28 cm CL) turtle with tan, brown, or olive carapace with light posterior border. Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox) is a species of softshell turtle found primarily in the state of Florida, but it also ranges to southern sections of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas. Of Illinois’ 60 species of reptiles, perhaps the most highly adapted for an aquatic existence are the state’s two species of softshell turtles—smooth and spiny. Vol. The Prairie Research Institute’s Illinois Natural History Survey provides species distribution maps and more natural history information about the spiny softshell turtle and the smooth softshell turtle. The plastron is light (white or gray) with no markings, and the underlying bones are visible. Spatial ecological information is necessary to guide the conservation efforts of river turtles, but it is lacking for many species including the smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica). Care for smooth softshell turtles in many forms. Click trait name for all matches or numbers for narrower searches (e.g., het only). Midland Painted Turtle Chrysemys picta marginata. Females of this species can reach 14-inches while males are about half that length. Ecology and Conservation The two parts of the turtle shell are the carapace which includes the vertebrae and ribs and the plastron made up of the clavicles (collar bones) and abdominal ribs. The smooth softshell turtle is listed as endangered in Illinois. The carapace of adult females is tan or brown with irregular dark brown blotches, while the carapace of males and juveniles is a brown or grayish color with scattered, small dark brown dots or da… Declines of the latter three can be attributed in part to loss of wetlands. In the Midwest, its range includes the Mississippi, Ohio, and Missou - ri river basins (Ernst and Lovich 2009). The species is endemic to North America. Within river systems, smooth softshell turtles had highest populations in the open side channels and main channels of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in southern Illinois. Smooth softshell turtle care. They love to bury in sand with just their head exposed waiting to surprise a fish. The Latest News. smooth softshell (Apalone mutica) and spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera). The spiny softshell is one of the most common turtle species in the Illinois River along with the red-eared slider. The Smooth Softshell Turtle. In Asia, turtle is considered a delicacy. The carapaces of the females grow up to 14 inches in length. website. The size of this area is 474 m for males and 750 m for young females. Museum of Natural History. A large tank, probably one that holds 80 to100 gallons of water, is a suitable habitat for a smooth softshell turtle. Unusual in lakes. Content from Illinois Public Media on Softshell Turtle. The common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) is an aquatic turtle found in mud- ... Illinois has two turtle species not restricted to aquatic habitats and often encountered on land: the eastern box turtle (Ter - Smooth Softshell Apalone mutica Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera Illinois Natural History Survey 1816 … Subspecies: Two subspecies are currently recognized, Gulf Coast Smooth Softshell, A. m. calvata (Webb, 1959) and Midland Smooth Softshell, A. m. mutica. The spiny soft-shelled turtle is a regular inhabitant of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in Southern Illinois. Female lays multiple clutches of 6 to 26 round, brittle-shelled eggs (ca. Smooth Softshell Turtle. The Smooth Softshell prefers medium-sized to large rivers with moderate to fast flows and Last week, a concerned fisherman brought this gorgeous softshell turtle to the Wildlife Medical Clinic. Because of their soft shells, these turtles are more vulnerable to predators. The smooth softshell turtle can be found along the Mississippi River drainage system from Louisiana up north to North Dakota as well as other river … The largest Illinois specimen on record weighed about 160 pounds. In 2015, of the state's 17 turtle species, six (the alligator snapping turtle, the spotted turtle, Blanding's turtle, the eastern river cooter, the yellow mud turtle and the smooth softshell turtle) are state endangered and one (the ornate box turtle) is state threatened. Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina serpentina. Of Illinois’ 60 species of reptiles, perhaps the most highly adapted for an aquatic existence are the state’s two species of softshell turtles—smooth and spiny. A similar but expanded pair of stripes extend posteriorly from eyes onto the neck. They're excellent swimmers and do well in mostly water tanks, with plants and other under water objects. This turtle lives exclusively in large rivers. Midland Smooth Softshell Apalone mutica mutica Turtles for Sale in the United States Browse 644 turtles in 96 ads by 49 traits and subcategories. The Smooth Softshell inhabits larger rivers and prefers to bask, nest, and conceal itself in sandy areas, like emergent sand bars. Apalone mutica, the smooth softshell turtle, is a member of Trionychidae within Cryptodira.There are four extant species of Apalone (Ernst and Barbour, 1989; Bonin et al., 2006). Smooth Softshell Turtle. Natur., Paris. Illinois Mud Turtle Kinosternon flavescens spooneri. Key Characters: Anterior edge of carapace lacking spines or tubercles; snout with rounded tip; nostrils lacking horizontal septal projections. conservation efforts for the Smooth Softshell Turtle. Blanding’s Turtles normally dwell in marshes. The Smooth Softshell Turtle. Mississippi Map Turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii. Spatial ecological information is necessary to guide the conservation efforts of river turtles, but it is lacking for many species including the smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica). Feet neither strongly streaked nor patterned. That species is one of six that are classified as “state-endangered,” joining the river cooter, smooth softshell, Illinois mud turtle, Blanding’s turtle, and spotted turtle. Female is more solitary, wanders more, and utilizes deeper water than male. Subspecies: Five subspecies are currently recognized in the United States. Spatial ecological information is necessary to guide the conservation efforts of river turtles, but it is lacking for many species including the smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica). It is most abundant in the latter. 15. INHS Herpetology Collection Populations appear to be declining in much of the state. © 2018–2020 University of Illinois Board of Trustees. Unlike most turtles, the smooth softshell turtle has a smooth, leatherlike, flexible carapace and a long, tubular snout. 2001). Plastron white to cream. The Smooth Softshell differs from the Spiny in being flatter and more circular, and lacking the "spines" on the front of the carapace. Repair Damage: What to Know Before Making Repairs, Contact an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist, IDNR’s Wild About Illinois Turtles! Housing the Softshell Turtle . Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle... Apalone spinifera Eastern spiny softshell turtle... Caretta caretta Loggerhead... Chelonia mydas Green turtle... Chelydra serpentina ... Illinois (23) North Carolina (23) South Carolina (23) Virginia (23) Arkansas (21) Tennessee (21) Maryland (20) Similar Species: Spiny Softshell. smooth softshell (Apalone mutica) and spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera). The smallest Illinois turtle is the spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata. I live in Illinois and the Eastern Spiny Softshell and the Smooth Softshell are both native and very abundant here. The most common turtle in Illinois is the red-eared slider, which utilizes a wide variety of habitats and can be recognized by a distinct red patch on the side of the Smooth Softshells make very good community turtles. Nomenclatural History: Also referred to as Amyda mutica in older literature. Only the latter is found in Illinois. Furthermore, the transverse ridges inside the nostrils are not present in the Smooth Softshell. As the name suggests, the Smooth Softshell Turtle’s carapace does not have any bumps, ridges, or spines - they are flat and leathery with flexible edges. They're excellent swimmers and do well in mostly water tanks, with plants and other under water objects. Lawrence. They love to bury in sand with just their head exposed waiting to surprise a fish. Common Musk Turtle (Stinkpot) Sternotherus odoratus. Spatial ecological information is lacking for many river turtles including the Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica), a species inhabiting the Midwestern United States. Here, we need to know their conducive habitat, diet, and general physical health. It is very easy to recognize these turtles from the smooth appearance of their carapaces. As adults, they usually have an area about 1,2228 m long where they generally feed and live. Softshell turtles have a hard bony shell. The Smooth Softshell Turtle features a smooth carapace that does not display any of the typical bony scutes found on other turtle breeds. University of Kansas Publications. woodlands and prairies, while the Smooth Softshell Turtle and Alligator Snapping Turtle favor rivers. The male Smooth Softshell Turtle carapaces only reach half of this length. Their name refers both to the leathery skin covering the shell and to the rear portion of the shell that is tough but flexible (Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 2014). Original Description: Le Sueur, C.A. It spends most of its time in the water, though on warm days will soak up the sun basking on sandbars. Females are larger than males, with a carapace length of 16.5-35.6 cm (6.5-14 in.) It takes only seconds for this turtle to completely bury itself in the sand, lying just deep enough for its long, pointed snout to reach the surface for air, like a snorkel. Currently, the Smooth Softshell Turtle is listed as a State Endangered Species in Illinois and in 2013 we began our research. It is especially suited for insect hunting. For permissions information, contact the Illinois Natural History Survey. Subspecies: Two subspecies are currently recognized, Gulf Coast Smooth Softshell, A. m. calvata (Webb, 1959) and Midland Smooth Softshell, A. m. mutica. Spatial ecological information is necessary to guide the conservation efforts of river turtles, but it is lacking for many species including the smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica). Only the Eastern Spiny Softshell, A. s. spinifera is found in Illinois. Natural Resources Building They quickly settle in and will swim about their tanks as much as fish. We thank our field technicians Travis Rus-sell, Lisa LaBudde, and Cassandra Henry for all their help. This turtle's shell is soft, smooth and leathery with no scales or scutes (plates). The plastron (lower shell) is white. Smooth Softshell Turtle Description. Distribution Notes: Although restricted to rivers with sandy bottoms and frequent sandbars, the Smooth Softshell is absent from the apparently suitable rivers of Kankakee and Iroquois counties. 607 East Peabody Drive woodlands and prairies, while the Smooth Softshell Turtle and Alligator Snapping Turtle favor rivers. The other, the smooth softshell turtle, is a threatened species in Illinois, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Male smaller than female and has a larger, thicker tail with vent opening beyond rear edge of carapace. Because of the smooth softshell turtle's long maturation period, population recovery from these causes of … The carapaces of the females grow up to 14 inches in length. Apalone mutica, the smooth softshell turtle, is a member of Trionychidae within Cryptodira.There are four extant species of Apalone (Ernst and Barbour, 1989; Bonin et al., 2006). Illinois Mud Turtle Kinosternon flavescens spooneri. 22 mm diameter) in sand banks or bars from late May into July. The smooth softshell turtle has a smooth, flexible and leather like carapace that is covered by skin instead of the hard scutes commonly observed in other turtle species. Spiny softshell turtles have a rough carapace with spines along the front edge while, as the name implies, smooth softshell turtles lack such spines. Description: The Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle is a rather plain looking softshell turtle. Females of this species can reach 14-inches while males are about half that length. If you don’t know what the species is, click on the text to work through the key. An adult male Smooth Softshell Turtle will be gray or brown in color, and there will also be some small dots and dashes found on the animal’s back. They hibernate in the winter just like other turtles. Midland Smooth Softshell Apalone mutica mutica. Spatial ecological information is lacking for many river turtles including the Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica), a species inhabiting the Midwestern United States. In some locations it may grow to a shell length of 30 inches (77 cm) and a weight of more than 250 pounds (112.5 kilograms). Etymology: Apalone – apo (Greek) meaning separate; alone (Anglo-Saxon) meaning solitary; or apalos (Greek) meaning soft, tender; mutica – mutilus (Latin) meaning shortened, docked. The Midland Smooth Softshell (Apalone mutica) is a highly aquatic turtle that oc-curs in central and south-central parts of the United States. Smooth Softshells quickly learn to come to feeding and will liven up any tank. All rights reserved. website to learn about the spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) and the smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica). It is most abundant in the latter. Type Locality: “Newharmony, sur le Wabash” [=New Harmony, Wabash River, Posey County, IN], Original Name: Trionyx muticus Le Sueur, 1827. They inhabit the Mississippi, Colorado, Sabine and Pearl, Alabama, Brazos, and Escambia river drainage systems. Females and males also differ in color. Despite their preference for riverine systems, smooth softshell turtles have also been found in lakes, bogs, ponds, and drainage ditches. Agricultural runoff, siltation, and pollution are probable causes. It gives the animal a pancakelike appearance. The diet includes a variety of animal foods but especially aquatic insects. I investigated the spatial ecology of A. mutica in two reaches of the Kaskaskia River in south-central Illinois from 2013-2014. Note sur deux especes de tortues du genre Trionyx Gff. Mus. Turtle Ornate Box Turtle Smooth Softshell Spiny Softshell Red-eared Slider Year Round None 3 3 Any Method None None North Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science (2018) Volume 111, pp. Male smooth softshell turtles have thicker tails than females, a trait commonly observed in turtle species. False Map Turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica pseudogeographica. Softshell Turtles. Type Specimen: Syntypes. Smooth softshell turtle females move around quite a bit when searching for nesting habitat. Jeremy Gets To Grips With a Bone Crushing Softshell Turtle | TURTLE | River Monsters - Duration: 2:11. Jason Ross (INHS), Robert Bluett (IDNR), and Michael J. Dreslik (INHS) Jason Ross radio-tracking a Smooth Softshell Turtle in the Kaskaskia River near Fayetteville, Illinois. Colors. Additionally, the Prairie Research Institute’s Illinois Natural History Survey has an Identification Key to help people figure out what species turtle they have found. Small numbers of females and juveniles at one site suggest problems with recruitment in one population; the other population was a … Relationships among members of Trionychidae, and taxonomy within the clade, are still poorly … They quickly settle in and will swim about their tanks as much as fish. Smith (1961) considered Illinois populations to be mainly A. s. The Midland Smooth Softshell (Apalone mutica mutica) is the only subspecies that occurs in Indiana. The male Smooth Softshell Turtle carapaces only reach half of this length. Check out the IDNR’s Wild About Illinois Turtles! The Kaskaskia River supports a diverse turtle community, with the spiny softshell and Ouachita map turtle as the main competitors of the smooth softshell. Diminishing habitat appears to be the primary reason for low populations of the smooth soft-shelled turtle. Smooth softshell turtles have a tubular snout with round nostrils that are usually positioned inferior, and they lack a septal ridge. Charlie Brown Specials To Air on WILL-TV, After All, In PBS Deal However, letting a pet turtle that was perhaps from another state/country/region loose in the wild is injurious to not only the animal you are freeing, but also to the local population of animals. It is considered an endangered species in the state of Illinois. 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