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Spiny Softshell Turtle

cwf-fcf.org > English > Resources > ... > Amphibians & Reptiles > Turtles
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Scientific Name: Apalone spinifera

Other Common Names: Pancake turtle

Description:
Flat pliable shell ranging in colour from brown to green to beige. Head and limbs are generally olive green from above, and white or grey from below. The Spiny Softshell can have a neck approximately ¾ of its shell length, and has a long tubular nose.

Size: 12-24 cm for males, 18-50 cm for females

Photo Gallery:
(Please note — these photos are unverified images submitted by members of the CWF Photo Club.)
Range: Quebec, Ontario
Southern Ontario and southern Québec

Habitat: Spiny Softshells are generally found in rivers or lakes with abundant aquatic vegetation and soft, sandy or muddy bottoms. They can be found basking along riverbanks or on rocks.

Status:

Endangered

Notes: Female Spiny Softshells can be twice the size of males. Well adapted to swimming, these turtles can move very quickly in water as well as on land.



Turtles

All about turtles in Canada

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Freshwater turtles as a whole are in decline throughout Canada. Of the eight freshwater turtles found in Canada, only one subspecies is stable. The remaining species are designated to be at varying degrees of...

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