Spiny Softshell Turtle | 台北市立動物園資訊網

Thespinysoftshell(Apalonespinifera)isOntario'sonlyturtlewithaflexible,leatherycarapace(uppershell)andtheonlyspeciesintheprovincethatcanattaina ...

The spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera) is Ontario’s only turtle with a flexible, leathery carapace (upper shell) and the only species in the province that can attain a size comparable to that of the snapping turtle.

Ontario’s most peculiar looking turtle, the spiny softshell has a long snout and a leathery carapace with small spiny projections at the front edge. The carapace is olive-grey, brownish or tan, and its edges are yellow with a black outline. The carapace of males and juveniles has large spots with a dark outline, whereas the spots on the carapace of females are smaller and are not outlined. The legs and head are dark green or grey with dark patterning, and along each side of the head is a distinct yellow stripe outlined in black. The carapace of females of this large turtle may reach 43 centimetres in length, and that of males may reach a length of about 23 centimet...