Safety note: Bites aggressively — do not handle
The Spiny Softshell Turtle has a flat, pancake-like shell covered with leathery skin rather than hard scutes. Its long neck and snorkel-like nose allow it to breathe while almost entirely submerged in sand.
Habitat
Large rivers, lakes, and reservoirs with sandy or muddy bottoms
Diet
Fish, crayfish, insects, and aquatic invertebrates
How common
Common
Best time to see a Spiny Softshell Turtle
The best time to see a Spiny Softshell Turtle is April–July, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 20,132 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
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