Smooth Softshell Turtle

Smooth Soft Shell Turtle

Other Names: Midland Smooth Softshell, Spineless Softshell, Pancake Turtle
Scientific Name: Apalone mutica
(Formerly: Trionyx muticus)
Family: Trionychidae

Description and Size

  • Soft, leathery upper and lower shell (carapace and plastron)
  • Very long neck when fully extended
  • Lack projections from inside the nostrils
  • Shell length: 8.1-36.8 cm (3.2-14.5 in)
  • Carapace color: olive green to brown
  • Plastron color: white or grey
  • Skin color: olive green to brown
  • Have a dark-bordered lightly colored line on either side of the head extending from the eye to the neck
  • Females: much larger than males

Habitat

  • Large rivers
  • Large lakes
  • Sandy substrate

Diet

  • Invertebrates
  • Fish
  • Rarely, seeds and fruit

Life History

  • Diurnal
  • Active season: April – September (Plummer, 1977)
  • Breeding season: April – June
  • Lays eggs
  • 1-3 clutches of 3-33 eggs per female

Range

Smooth Softshell Turtle

Most common range within the last 50 years and does not include outliers. For more info email dferraro1@unl.edu.