Texas Spiny Soft Shell Turtle

by Debra Martz

Title

Texas Spiny Soft Shell Turtle

Artist

Debra Martz

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Texas Spiny Soft Shell Turtle (Apalone spinifera emoryi) by Debra Martz
Based on the size of this turtle, I believe it to be a female as they are much larger than the male. She was basking in the morning sun at the edge of Alligator Lake which is located in the Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco, Texas. They look so much different than the majority of turtles found here in Texas. Just check out that snorkel looking snout!!

"Soft-shelled turtles are powerful swimmers and almost entirely aquatic, fond of basking and rarely venturing far from aquatic margins. However, females seeking suitable nesting locations sometimes wander considerable distances from water in search of ideal nesting locations. Within their geographic distribution spiny soft shell turtles can be found in streams, rivers, oxbows, lakes , lagoons, water filled ditches and coastal areas. Softshell turtles are carnivorous and will hunt down or use ambush tactics to secure prey. When not basking out of the water or swimming about, soft shelled turtles can be found below the surface on the bottom concealed beneath a layer of sand or other substratum. Often with only the eyes or part of the head exposed.
Softshell turtles are capable of defending themselves by clawing, and scratching while trying to make an escape. They can also make short yet remarkably quick bursts of speed on land. If carelessly handled, soft-shelled turtles can also deliver a painful bite with their sharp cusp." Quoted from http://www.texasturtles.org/Apalone-spinifera.html
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©Debra Martz, All Rights Reserved

In My Gallery/Collections: "Texas" "Wildlife"

20180411-DSC_7439

Uploaded

April 18th, 2018

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