Spiny Softshell Turtle
Apalone spinifera
- Class
- Reptile
- Rarity
- Common
- Observations
- 15,409
- Most observed in
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Conservation
- Least Concern
Description
The spiny softshell turtle is a species of softshell turtle, one of the largest freshwater turtle species in North America. Both the common name, spiny softshell, and the specific name, spinifera (spine-bearing), refer to the spiny, cone-like projections on the leading edge of the carapace, which are not scutes (scales).
Summary adapted from the Wikipedia article “Spiny softshell turtle”.