They quickly settle in and will swim about their tanks as much as fish. The color will usually range from olive-gray to dark brown. These turtles are members of the family Trionychidae, which has a total of two representatives in Indiana. Of Illinois’ 60 species of reptiles, perhaps the most highly adapted for an aquatic existence are the state’s two species of softshell turtles—smooth and spiny. Smooth softshell turtles have a tubular snout with round nostrils that are usually positioned inferior, and they lack a septal ridge. Female is more solitary, wanders more, and utilizes deeper water than male. Softshell Turtles. Softshell turtles have a hard bony shell. The smooth softshell turtle is a species of softshell turtle of the family Trionychidae. The spiny softshell is one of the most common turtle species in the Illinois River along with the red-eared slider. ... Illinois, Snapping and Softshell Turtles are often sought for food. Transactions of the Illinois State Academy of Science (2018) Volume 111, pp. The smooth softshell turtle is listed as endangered in Illinois. Chinese softshell turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) on white. Housing the Softshell Turtle . Only the Eastern Spiny Softshell, A. s. spinifera is found in Illinois. Plastron white to cream. INHS Herpetology Collection Smooth softshell turtle’s habitat. The Prairie Research Institute’s Illinois Natural History Survey provides species distribution maps and more natural history information about the spiny softshell turtle and the smooth softshell turtle. Mississippi Map Turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii. Unlike its common relative, the smooth softshell is Illinois state endangered. Illinois Natural History Survey • Prairie Research Institute. The Smooth Softshell Turtle. Subspecies: Two subspecies are currently recognized, Gulf Coast Smooth Softshell, A. m. calvata (Webb, 1959) and Midland Smooth Softshell, A. m. mutica. The carapace of adult females is tan or brown with irregular dark brown blotches, while the carapace of males and juveniles is a brown or grayish color with scattered, small dark brown dots or da… Distribution Notes: Although restricted to rivers with sandy bottoms and frequent sandbars, the Smooth Softshell is absent from the apparently suitable rivers of Kankakee and Iroquois counties. 5 specimens, MNHN 564, 4143, 7977, 8813, and 8814. The common musk turtle (Sternotherus odoratus) is an aquatic turtle found in mud- ... Illinois has two turtle species not restricted to aquatic habitats and often encountered on land: the eastern box turtle (Ter - Charlie Brown Specials To Air on WILL-TV, After All, In PBS Deal Taxonomy. False Map Turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica pseudogeographica. I investigated the spatial ecology of A. mutica in two reaches of the Kaskaskia River in south-central Illinois from 2013-2014. This turtle is very unlikely to be confused with any species except the Spiny Softshell. It is very easy to recognize these turtles from the smooth appearance of their carapaces. The eastern spiny softshell turtle is one of two softshell turtles in Illinois, and it is the more widespread of the two. Common Musk Turtle (Stinkpot) Sternotherus odoratus. Spiny softshell turtles have a rough carapace with spines along the front edge while, as the name implies, smooth softshell turtles lack such spines. Nomenclatural History: Also referred to as Amyda mutica in older literature. Only the latter is found in Illinois. Vol. conservation efforts for the Smooth Softshell Turtle. Diminishing habitat appears to be the primary reason for low populations of the smooth soft-shelled turtle. Of Illinois’ 60 species of reptiles, perhaps the most highly adapted for an aquatic existence are the state’s two species of softshell turtles—smooth and spiny. Habitat: Rivers and large streams having sand substrate, bars, and banks. This turtle lives exclusively in large rivers. Unlike most turtles, the smooth softshell turtle has a smooth, leatherlike, flexible carapace and a long, tubular snout. 1827. The Smooth Softshell Turtle. Care for smooth softshell turtles in many forms. It spends most of its time in the water, though on warm days will soak up the sun basking on sandbars. Natur., Paris. Smooth Softshells quickly learn to come to feeding and will liven up any tank. Note sur deux especes de tortues du genre Trionyx Gff. © 2018–2020 University of Illinois Board of Trustees. The smooth softshell turtle has a smooth, flexible and leather like carapace that is covered by skin instead of the hard scutes commonly observed in other turtle species. Furthermore, the transverse ridges inside the nostrils are not present in the Smooth Softshell. Females and males also differ in color. Eastern Mud Turtles are ... 17 of those turtle species inhabit Illinois, dwelling in forests, prairies, marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes, streams Midland Smooth Softshell Apalone mutica mutica Blanding’s Turtles normally dwell in marshes. Declines of the latter three can be attributed in part to loss of wetlands. Male smaller than female and has a larger, thicker tail with vent opening beyond rear edge of carapace. The Smooth Softshell inhabits larger rivers and prefers to bask, nest, and conceal itself in sandy areas, like emergent sand bars. The Smooth Softshell Turtle features a smooth carapace that does not display any of the typical bony scutes found on other turtle breeds. 13 (10): 429-611). Spatial ecological information is lacking for many river turtles including the Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica), a species inhabiting the Midwestern United States. They're excellent swimmers and do well in mostly water tanks, with plants and other under water objects. However, letting a pet turtle that was perhaps from another state/country/region loose in the wild is injurious to not only the animal you are freeing, but also to the local population of animals. They inhabit the Mississippi, Colorado, Sabine and Pearl, Alabama, Brazos, and Escambia river drainage systems. Ornate Box Turtle Terrapene ornata ornata Smooth Softshells quickly learn to come to feeding and will liven up any tank. Similar Species: Smooth Softshell. Illinois Mud Turtle Kinosternon flavescens spooneri. Only the latter is found in Illinois. The spiny softshell turtle occurs throughout the state in lakes, sloughs, mud-bottomed streams, and sand-bottomed rivers. Status: Endangered. Smooth softshell turtles are harvested for meat and they are also at risk of being captured and drowned by gill nets and set lines used for commercial fishing (Pappas et al. Common Name - Smooth Softshell Turtle Category - Reptiles Scientific Name - Apalone mutica Kingdom - Animalia Phylum - Chordata Class - Reptilia Order - Testudines Family - Trionychidae Genus - Apalone Species - muticus SubSpecies. The diet includes a variety of animal foods but especially aquatic insects. 8813 designated lectotype by Webb (1962. They're excellent swimmers and do well in mostly water tanks, with plants and other under water objects. Type Specimen: Syntypes. Illinois Mud Turtle Kinosternon flavescens spooneri. Keep your eyes open the next time you're near the Mississippi or Wisconsin rivers. Occurrences suggest the Smooth Softshell's distribution in Illinois is the same as or substantially similar to historical times. The two parts of the turtle shell are the carapace which includes the vertebrae and ribs and the plastron made up of the clavicles (collar bones) and abdominal ribs. For instance, the Florida softshell turtle can weigh over 40 pounds and reach over 2 feet long, requiring a large area to swim. In Asia, turtle is considered a delicacy. A similar but expanded pair of stripes extend posteriorly from eyes onto the neck. Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle... Apalone spinifera Eastern spiny softshell turtle... Caretta caretta Loggerhead... Chelonia mydas Green turtle... Chelydra serpentina ... Illinois (23) North Carolina (23) South Carolina (23) Virginia (23) Arkansas (21) Tennessee (21) Maryland (20) It is very easy to recognize these turtles from the smooth appearance of their carapaces. As the name suggests, the Smooth Softshell Turtle’s carapace does not have any bumps, ridges, or spines - they are flat and leathery with flexible edges. Currently, the Smooth Softshell Turtle is listed as a State Endangered Species in Illinois and in 2013 we began our research. The smooth softshell turtle is listed as endangered in Illinois. Populations appear to be declining in much of the state. The Midland Smooth Softshell (Apalone mutica) is a highly aquatic turtle that oc-curs in central and south-central parts of the United States. The smooth softshell turtle can be found from Pennsylvania to New Mexico and Florida (they are found in from central to south central United States). smooth softshell (Apalone mutica) and spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera). Apalone mutica, the smooth softshell turtle, is a member of Trionychidae within Cryptodira.There are four extant species of Apalone (Ernst and Barbour, 1989; Bonin et al., 2006). Mus. Content from Illinois Public Media on Softshell Turtle. Smooth Softshells make very good community turtles. They love to bury in sand with just their head exposed waiting to surprise a fish. Small numbers of females and juveniles at one site suggest problems with recruitment in one population; the other population was a … We weren’t sure if the turtle had swallowed the hook or … Despite their preference for riverine systems, smooth softshell turtles have also been found in lakes, bogs, ponds, and drainage ditches. Carapace irregularly patterned with small dark spots or dashes that expand into blotches or mottling in … Spatial ecological information is necessary to guide the conservation efforts of river turtles, but it is lacking for many species including the smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica). … 15. See Key to Illinois Turtles for help with identification. Spatial ecological information is lacking for many river turtles including the Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica), a species inhabiting the Midwestern United States. The Smooth Softshell prefers medium-sized to large rivers with moderate to fast flows and The shell lacks any distinct bumps or coloration. It is especially suited for insect hunting. woodlands and prairies, while the Smooth Softshell Turtle and Alligator Snapping Turtle favor rivers. The most common turtle in Illinois is the red-eared slider, which utilizes a wide variety of habitats and can be recognized by a distinct red patch on the side of the The spiny soft-shelled turtle is a regular inhabitant of lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in Southern Illinois. Because of the smooth softshell turtle's long maturation period, population recovery from these causes of … woodlands and prairies, while the Smooth Softshell Turtle and Alligator Snapping Turtle favor rivers. As a result, they are more aggressive than many turtle … St. H. Mem. As the name suggests, the Smooth Softshell Turtle’s carapace does not have any bumps, ridges, or spines - they are flat and leathery with flexible edges. Eastern Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera spinifera. smooth softshell (Apalone mutica) and spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera). Identification. The spiny softshell turtle occurs throughout the state in lakes, sloughs, mud-bottomed streams, and sand-bottomed rivers. Spatial ecological information is necessary to guide the conservation efforts of river turtles, but it is lacking for many species including the smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica). Because of their soft shells, these turtles are more vulnerable to predators. Description: Medium-sized (up to 28 cm CL) turtle with tan, brown, or olive carapace with light posterior border. Smith (1961) considered Illinois populations to be mainly A. s. Repair Damage: What to Know Before Making Repairs, Contact an IDNR District Wildlife Biologist, IDNR’s Wild About Illinois Turtles! Jeremy Gets To Grips With a Bone Crushing Softshell Turtle | TURTLE | River Monsters - Duration: 2:11. While most turtles have hard shells composed of scutes , the Florida softshell has … When he found her, she had a fish hook caught in her mouth, but by the time she reached our hospital, the hook was nowhere in sight. The other, the smooth softshell turtle, is a threatened species in Illinois, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Email the Web Administrator with questions or comments. That species is one of six that are classified as “state-endangered,” joining the river cooter, smooth softshell, Illinois mud turtle, Blanding’s turtle, and spotted turtle. For permissions information, contact the Illinois Natural History Survey. Smooth softshell turtle females move around quite a bit when searching for nesting habitat. Natural Resources Building The male Smooth Softshell Turtle carapaces only reach half of this length. If you don’t know what the species is, click on the text to work through the key. Smooth Softshell Turtle. Females are larger than males, with a carapace length of 16.5-35.6 cm (6.5-14 in.) Smooth Softshell Turtle Description. Unusual in lakes. Relationships among members of Trionychidae, and taxonomy within the clade, are still poorly understood (e.g., Meylan, 1987; Engstrom et al., 2004). The Smooth Softshell's distribution in Indiana follows major rivers, including the Wabash, Ohio, and Blue. Colors. Subspecies: Five subspecies are currently recognized in the United States. Compared to other turtle species, the smooth softshell turtles are large. The other, the smooth softshell turtle, is a threatened species in Illinois, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Natural History: Males and juveniles congregate in sandy shallows to bury in the substrate and bask along exposed banks. As adults, they usually have an area about 1,2228 m long where they generally feed and live. Champaign, IL 61820. Blanding’s Turtles normally dwell in marshes. In 2015, of the state's 17 turtle species, six (the alligator snapping turtle, the spotted turtle, Blanding's turtle, the eastern river cooter, the yellow mud turtle and the smooth softshell turtle) are state endangered and one (the ornate box turtle) is state threatened. Smooth softshell turtle care. Smooth Softshell Turtle Description. River Monsters™ 355,275 views The male Smooth Softshell Turtle carapaces only reach half of this length. The Prairie Research … website. Type Locality: “Newharmony, sur le Wabash” [=New Harmony, Wabash River, Posey County, IN], Original Name: Trionyx muticus Le Sueur, 1827. Because of their soft shells, these turtles are more vulnerable to predators. Smooth Softshell Apalone mutica Spiny Softshell Apalone spinifera Illinois Natural History Survey 1816 … Relatively nonagressive. The Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica) inhabits sandy rivers throughout the Midwest United States. An adult male Smooth Softshell Turtle will be gray or brown in color, and there will also be some small dots and dashes found on the animal’s back. Smooth Softshell Turtle. Relationships among members of Trionychidae, and taxonomy within the clade, are still poorly … Similar Species: Spiny Softshell. It takes only seconds for this turtle to completely bury itself in the sand, lying just deep enough for its long, pointed snout to reach the surface for air, like a snorkel. The size of this area is 474 m for males and 750 m for young females. Female lays multiple clutches of 6 to 26 round, brittle-shelled eggs (ca. I live in Illinois and the Eastern Spiny Softshell and the Smooth Softshell are both native and very abundant here. The Smooth Softshell inhabits larger rivers and prefers to bask, nest, and conceal itself in sandy areas, like emergent sand bars. The Kaskaskia River supports a diverse turtle community, with the spiny softshell and Ouachita map turtle as the main competitors of the smooth softshell. Mississippi Mud Turtle Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis. University of Kansas Publications. At roughly half that size, the spiny and smooth softshell turtles are more manageable as pets. The largest Illinois specimen on record weighed about 160 pounds. Spatial ecological information is necessary to guide the conservation efforts of river turtles, but it is lacking for many species including the smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica). Subspecies: Two subspecies are currently recognized, Gulf Coast Smooth Softshell, A. m. calvata (Webb, 1959) and Midland Smooth Softshell, A. m. mutica. compared to 11.4-17.8 cm (4.5-7 in.) All rights reserved. There are two types of soft-shelled turtle in Illinois. Turtle Ornate Box Turtle Smooth Softshell Spiny Softshell Red-eared Slider Year Round None 3 3 Any Method None None North Females of this species can reach 14-inches while males are about half that length. Description: The Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle is a rather plain looking softshell turtle. Hist. They love to bury in sand with just their head exposed waiting to surprise a fish. The smooth softshell turtle can be found along the Mississippi River drainage system from Louisiana up north to North Dakota as well as other river … Compared to other turtle species, the smooth softshell turtles are large. They hibernate in the winter just like other turtles. The shell lacks any distinct bumps or coloration. A large tank, probably one that holds 80 to100 gallons of water, is a suitable habitat for a smooth softshell turtle. The Midland Smooth Softshell (Apalone mutica mutica) is the only subspecies that occurs in Indiana. The photo gallery below provides information about several of the turtles that are found in Illinois. The largest Illinois turtle is the alligator snapping turtle, Macrochelys temminckii. I investigated the spatial ecology of A. mutica in two reaches of the Kaskaskia River in south-central Illinois from 2013-2014. Original Description: Le Sueur, C.A. Description: Medium-sized (up to 28 cm CL) turtle with tan, brown, or olive carapace with light posterior border. It is most abundant in the latter. Check out the IDNR’s Wild About Illinois Turtles! Etymology: Apalone – apo (Greek) meaning separate; alone (Anglo-Saxon) meaning solitary; or apalos (Greek) meaning soft, tender; mutica – mutilus (Latin) meaning shortened, docked. Small numbers of females and juveniles at one site suggest problems with recruitment in one population; the … The Florida softshell turtle is a large turtle with a flattened, pancake-like body, a long neck, an elongated head with a long snorkel-like nose, and large webbed feet, each with three claws. Smooth softshell turtles may be easily confused with the spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera), as the differences between the two species are subtle. Spatial ecological information is necessary to guide the conservation efforts of river turtles, but it is lacking for many species including the smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica). website to learn about the spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) and the smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica). Within river systems, smooth softshell turtles had highest populations in the open side channels and main channels of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in southern Illinois. Male smooth softshell turtles have thicker tails than females, a trait commonly observed in turtle species. The Smooth Softshell differs from the Spiny in being flatter and more circular, and lacking the "spines" on the front of the carapace. In the Midwest, its range includes the Mississippi, Ohio, and Missou - ri river basins (Ernst and Lovich 2009). In some locations it may grow to a shell length of 30 inches (77 cm) and a weight of more than 250 pounds (112.5 kilograms). The Kaskaskia River supports a diverse turtle community, with the spiny softshell and Ouachita map turtle as the main competitors of the smooth softshell. Key Characters: Anterior edge of carapace lacking spines or tubercles; snout with rounded tip; nostrils lacking horizontal septal projections. Lawrence. It gives the animal a pancakelike appearance. Apalone mutica, the smooth softshell turtle, is a member of Trionychidae within Cryptodira.There are four extant species of Apalone (Ernst and Barbour, 1989; Bonin et al., 2006). Additionally, the Prairie Research Institute’s Illinois Natural History Survey has an Identification Key to help people figure out what species turtle they have found. Smooth Softshells make very good community turtles. It is most abundant in the latter. Their name refers both to the leathery skin covering the shell and to the rear portion of the shell that is tough but flexible (Illinois Department of Natural Resources, 2014). Common Name - Smooth Softshell Turtle Category - Reptiles Scientific Name - Apalone mutica Kingdom - Animalia Phylum - Chordata Class - Reptilia Order - Testudines Family - Trionychidae Genus - Apalone Species - muticus SubSpecies. Jason Ross (INHS), Robert Bluett (IDNR), and Michael J. Dreslik (INHS) Jason Ross radio-tracking a Smooth Softshell Turtle in the Kaskaskia River near Fayetteville, Illinois. It is the only species of a softshell turtle whose range spans the … 607 East Peabody Drive The kind of softshell turtle you choose will determine the size of tank you need. Ecology and Conservation The species is endemic to North America. Females of this species can reach 14-inches while males are about half that length. The Latest News. It particularly likes rivers with sandy bottoms where you might find it eating fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. The goals were to 1) determine Factors affecting movement, home range, and habitat use, 2) obtaining estimates of population size and population structure, and 3) determine the freshwater turtle community structure. website to learn about the spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) and the smooth softshell turtle (Apalone mutica). The plastron is light (white or gray) with no markings, and the underlying bones are visible. Last week, a concerned fisherman brought this gorgeous softshell turtle to the Wildlife Medical Clinic. Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox) is a species of softshell turtle found primarily in the state of Florida, but it also ranges to southern sections of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas. Paired, dark-bordered, white stripes extend across snout to eyes. Common Snapping Turtle Chelydra serpentina serpentina. The carapaces of the females grow up to 14 inches in length. We thank our field technicians Travis Rus-sell, Lisa LaBudde, and Cassandra Henry for all their help. It is considered an endangered species in the state of Illinois. Museum of Natural History. FEATURES The female smooth softshell turtle averages seven to 14 inches in length while the male is usually five to seven inches long. 2001). 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