Smooth Softshell Turtle
Apalone mutica
This species is easily identified by its sharp snorkel-like snout and round nostrils which it uses to breathe underwater and a smooth leathery softshell. Its shell is cov…
How to identify
This species is easily identified by its sharp snorkel-like snout and round nostrils which it uses to breathe underwater and a smooth leathery softshell. Its shell is covered in skin rather than hard scutes as seen in most other turtle species.
Range
This species of turtle has a wide geographical range covering much of the eastern and middle of the United State of America. This species is found in the states of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia, Iowa and New Mexico.
Habitat
This species of Turtle is usually found in large bodies of water and rivers with moderate to fast currents. They are fond of muddy waters and sandy underwater environments rather than rocky or vegetated riverbeds. They are also found in large slow moving bodies of water like ponds, lakes and dams.
Variations
This species is sexually dimorphic with females typically measuring a lot larger and heavier than males. Females usually measure 16.5 to 35.6 cm in length and males only 11.4 to 17.8 cm in length. Males possess thicker tails than females, but females have longer hind claws for laying their eggs in the breeding season.
Similar species
This species can be easily confused with the similar Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera) as these two species morphologically very similar. Spiny Softshell Turtles have a rougher carapace with spines and the Smooth Softshell lacks these features.
Name and etymology
Mutica: Latin for curtailed or unarmed, referencing the lack of tubercles on the front of the carapace.
More illustrations
At a glance
Size
males 11.5 cm; females 16.5 to males 26.6 cm; females 35.6 cm
Range
This species of turtle has a wide geographical range covering much of the eastern and middle of the United State of America.…
Habitat
This species of Turtle is usually found in large bodies of water and rivers with moderate to fast currents. They are fond of…
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap