The Smooth Softshell Turtle is a species of softshell turtle that is native to parts of North America where it can be found throughout large parts of the Central United States.
As its name suggests, this species of turtle has a soft shell that has a smooth leathery feel to it as opposed to the hard shell seen on most species of turtles.
Smooth Softshell Turtle Taxonomy
In the Animal Kingdom, Taxonomy is used as the science and practice of classifying different species and sub-species based on their biological and genetic makeup.
Family
The family that the Smooth Softshell Turtle belongs to is called Trionychidae. The species in this family are commonly referred to as Softshell Turtles.
Some of the species in this family are among the largest freshwater turtles in the world and can be found in Africa, Asia, and North America.
While the species in this family are considered freshwater turtles, many of them can tolerate brackish areas with higher levels of salinity, such as the mouth of a river.
Genus
The genus that the Smooth Softshell Turtle belongs to is called Apalone. This is a genus of Softshell Turtles that are native to North America.
There are only three recognised species in this genus with the others being the Florida Softshell Turtle and the Spiny Softshell Turtle.
The turtles in this genus were previously classified under the genus Trionyx. The genus Apalone was only created in 1987.
Originally, there were many different species of Softshell Turtles classified under the Trionyx genus the vast majority have now been reclassified.
In fact, there is now currently only one living species left classified under the genus, the African Softshell Turtle.
Species
The scientific name for the Smooth Softshell Turtle is Apalone mutica and there are currently two recognised sub-species.
The nominate sub-species, Apalone mutica mutica is known as the Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle while the other sub-species, Apalone mutica calvata is known as the Gulf Coast Smooth Softshell Turtle.
This species was first described in 1827 by a French naturalist named Charles Alexandre Lesueur.
Smooth Softshell Turtle Description
The Smooth Softshell Turtle is a medium to large species of freshwater turtle that can obtain a length of up to 35cm with females typically being larger than males.
As their name suggests, these turtles have a smooth, soft shell. This is because the upper shell or carapace is covered in skin as opposed to hard scutes.
The color of the turtle’s shell can range from an olive green to brownish color and can sometimes have tints of a rusty coloration.
Both males and females can have dark markings or blotches on the shell. While still present in adults, these markings can be more prominent in juveniles.
These turtles have a tubular snout that extends out from its face.
These turtles are very similar in appearance to the Spiny Softshell Turtle and the two species are often mixed up. The easiest way to identify the two is the Spiny Softshell has spines on the front of their carapace while the Smooth Softshell doesn’t.
Natural Habitat and Distribution
The Smooth Softshell Turtle is native to parts of North America where they can be found in the Central and South-Central United States.
These turtles can be found from South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin in the Northern part of their range to Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi in the Southern part of their range.
The two different sub-species have different geographical ranges with the Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle occupying the Central United States while the Gulf Coast Smooth Softshell Turtle can be found in the coastal areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle.
These turtles can be found in major river systems as they prefer to live in larger rivers and streams with faster moving water.
While they tend to prefer faster moving bodies of water, they are also occasionally found in lakes, ponds and even drainage ditches.
Smooth Softshell Turtle Behaviour
The Smooth Softshell turtle is a highly aquatic species of turtle and is regarded as the most aquatic Softshell Turtle in North America.
To help with their aquatic lifestyle, they have developed adaptations to master life in the water.
These turtles can remain submerged for large periods of time. They have a very long neck and snout which allows them to stay almost fully submerged when they come to the surface for air.
They are typically active during the warmer months of the year, from around May to September but this can vary depending on location.
They can often be seen basking during the warmer months but will rarely stray more than a few meters from the water’s edge.
They can become quite nervous while on land and will quicky retreat back into the water if the sense a threat is nearby.