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Southern Soft-shelled Turtle
Colouration.—Perfectly adult specimens have a uniform, dull brown carapace. The head is brown, with very indistinct pale bands, but these may be seen to join immediately in front of the eyes. The plastron is immaculate white.
Dimensions.—The writer's largest specimen had a carapace 18 inches long and 15 1/2 inches wide. It weighed 29 pounds, and was captured in an inlet of the Indian River, Florida.
Distribution.—Georgia and southward throughout Florida; westward through Louisiana--in rivers and ponds with a muddy bottom; often in brackish water. The species is edible and sold in considerable quantities in the markets of both the South and the North.
Largest of the North American species; attains a length (of shell) of 18 inches and a weight of about 30 pounds. The carapace is not much longer than broad; on the front margin is a row of conical tubercles; these are but little developed on young specimens. When the animal is out of the water, the edges of the carapace droop about it. The central portions are much harder, as the skeleton--the ribs and vertebrae, lies close to the surface; the outlines of these bones may be detected on very old or thin examples. The tail is very thick and moderately long, with the vent situated near the tip. When the head and front limbs are withdrawn, the forward, thin flap of the carapace, closes against the plastron; the hind limbs are unprotected.
Specimens not fully grown have an olive or pale brown carapace, marked with dull, black spots, or dots, disposed in rings. On each side of the head and neck is a yellowish band; this extends forward through the eye, and unites with its fellow on the top of the head a short distance in front of the eyes. The character evinced by these bands is important in distinguishing the species from the Spiny Soft-shelled Turtle, on the top of the head of which, the bands unite way forward--at the base of the proboscis.
Very young specimens are gaily coloured.
Habits of the Soft-shelled Turtle
Old logs, protruding a moist and slimy surface a few inches from the water, sometimes tempt these creatures from the element for which they are specially provided. In such situations they lie taking a sun-bath, with limbs withdrawn beneath their flabby "shells" and their long necks stretched to the fullest extent, imparting the idea of as many snakes, emerging from under flat stones. At the least alarm they scramble frantically for the water, but upon reaching it their clumsy movements are instantly transformed. Against the resisting surface, the broad, fin-like feet take great purchase and the frightened reptiles disappear with almost the agility of a scurrying school of fishes.
While displaying the same habits as most reptiles--the flight for shelter if the coast be clear--the soft-shelled turtle at bay is one of the most vicious of cold-blooded creatures: moreover, the knife-like edges of the jaws of large individuals are formidable weapnos, capable of badly lacerating a man's fingers, or possibly severing a finger if seized at the joint. The soft-shelled turtle darts at the offending object with the rapidity of the serpent's stroke. This vicious nature has elicited for the animal, in many parts of the South, the title of "soft-shelled snapping turtle." It frequently takes the hooks of the fishermen and in its frenzy to escape is always an object to prompt cautious manipulation.
The food of the soft-shelled turtle is varied. It is among the worst enemies of fish, frogs and even young fowl. Freshwater mollusca are devoured in large quantities, particularly by the larger individuals.
During the early summer, the female leaves the water to seek a sandy spot exposed to the glare of the sun. Once a suitable place is found she scoops away the sand and burrows into it to the depth of three or four inches until she is completely covered and hidden, with the exception of a small opening through which she pokes her tubular snout. Here she remains for some days, until all the eggs have been deposited, usually to the number of several dozen, when she crawls from the burrow in a fashion that leaves the eggs covered and makes her way back to the water. The eggs are white and perfectly spherical; the shells are hard and brittle, but very thin. The diameter of an egg of average size is 1 1/8 inches, and looks much like the egg of the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina). See illustration.
In captivity, the soft-shelled turtle will live for years, if provided with a deep tank and means of occasionally crawling from the water. The resting places should be perfectly smooth or the reptiles bruise the tender plastron causing sores to develop which ultimately result in the animal's death. Hence rock-work or concrete should not be used. Old, water-soaked logs or pieces of bark, fastened in such positions that they slope very gradually from the water, form the best resting places. The bottom of the tank should be covered, for three inches or more, with fine sand, as in this, the turtles will burrow and remain for some time beneath the surface. They should be fed chopped fish, or small minnows, raw beef and earthworms. It is always advisable to procure young, or half-grown specimens. They are not alone brighter in colouration, but appear more hardy.