Portraits of the Florida
Softshell Turtle

The Florida Softshell Turtle, Apalone ferox, is an aquatic turtle that is only found in the Southeastern United States, including Florida. It is a large, flat turtle (resembling a pancake) with a soft leathery shell. The term 'ferox' in its name means FEROCIOUS.

Predators include crows, black bear, raccoons, red foxes, skunks and alligators. They are harvested for food, and it is the most heavily harvested turtle species in Florida. Its tubular snout with eyes positioned towards the front of the head gives it binocular vision.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EDUCATIONAL LINKS:

http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Apalone_ferox/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_softshell_turtle

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/165597/0

http://www.lakejacksonturtles.org/softshell.pdf

 

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