Natural History
LIFE
Spiny softshell turtles are large, Iowan turtles. Females can grow up to 17 inches in length, while males reach only about half of this length. Softshell turtles are easily recognizable due to the appearance of their carapace. Spiny softshells do not have the bony scutes common to other turtles; instead, theirs is flat and leathery with flexible edges. The shell of adult males tends to feel like sandpaper, while female shells are smooth with several large spines at the front of the carapace. Adult females also have a more drab coloration, while the spots break up to become large dark blotches. In addition, females have a very short tail while males have much longer tails. In both sexes, there are two lines on the side of the head, and the neck and feet are patterned with yellow and black. One thing that sets them apart from other turtles native to Iowa is the extensive webbing on their feet. Once the turtles reach maturity, they will begin breeding in May and laying their eggs in June or July. Females lay their eggs in nests on sandbars with high levels of sunlight. Due to their close proximity to the water, many eggs are killed by carnivorous mammals. The eggs are brittle and small, make them easy to access.

HABITAT AND RANGE
The spiny softshell turtle is found throughout Iowa, in rivers, streams, and large lakes. They enjoy sandy and muddy lake bottoms, as well as sandbars for sun-basking and laying their eggs.

DIET
Spiny softshell turtles are mainly carnivorous, feeding on almost any aquatic life of appropriate size. Most commonly, this can include things like crayfish, aquatic insects, and fish.

CONSERVATION STATUS
Species of Greatest Conservation Need. LEGAL to take with a valid fishing license (LeClere, 2020). These turtles may be trapped, taken by hand, hook and line, turtle hook throughout Iowa. The possession limit is 100 pounds for live and 50 pounds for dressed turtles (LeClere,2020).

Source: LeClere, J. (2020). Ornate Box Turtle
(Terrapene ornata). Retrieved July 20, 2020, from
http://www.herpnet.net/Iowa-
Herpetology/reptiles/turtles/ornate-box-turtleterrapene-ornata/

Maple's Story
Hartman Reserve Nature Center’s spiny softshell
turtle, Maple, was initially acquired for the new boat
house exhibit to be a part of our educational team in
June of 2020. Since Maple is still young, we cannot
currently identify her sex. As she ages, we will be able to
do ​this through examination of the pattern on her shell.