Turtles

Smooth Softshell

Apalone mutica

Across the regions where it's common, the Smooth Softshell peaks from April to June.

Shows up in 1 ecoregion and 1 state

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Turtles

Smooth Softshell

Apalone mutica

Look, don't take. Many states regulate collecting reptiles and amphibians. Photograph it, log it on iNaturalist and leave it where you found it.

Description

The smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica) is a species of North American softshell turtle in the family Trionychidae. The plastron is light white or gray, with no notable markings (other than occasional spotting), and its internal anatomy (bones, some organs) may be visible, as it lacks the typically hard shells of other aquatic turtles.Wikipedia ↗

Habitat

Its natural geographic range extends from western Pennsylvania in the east to New Mexico in the west, as far north as the Dakotas, and south to the westernmost Florida Panhandle, where it is eventually replaced by the Florida softshell turtle (Apalone ferox). Smooth softshell turtles are common within the Mississippi River system, from its delta in Louisiana up to North Dakota, as well as in the Colorado River (in Texas), the Brazos, Sabine, Pearl, Alabama and the Conecuh (Escambia) river systems.Wikipedia ↗

When it's active

The smooth softshell turtle is mostly carnivorous, eating aquatic & larval insects, crayfish, other arthropods, molluscs, worms, fish and amphibians. Breeding of the smooth softshell turtle occurs from April to June.Wikipedia ↗