Zoology of the ZooPl. CLXXIX
Spiny softshell
Apalone spinifera
Reptilia · Testudines · Trionychidae
Fig. 1. Spiny softshell
Fig. 2. Range
| Length or height | Females about 18-54 cm; males smaller |
|---|---|
| Weight | Up to about 11 kg |
| Food | Crayfish, insects, fish |
| Lifespan | About 25 years or more (est.) |
| Society | Solitary |
| Habitat | freshwater |
| Range | North America |
| Wild or tame | Wild |
Small spines on the front edge of the shell give it its name. In Florida it lives in the panhandle rivers. Like other softshells it can breathe through skin and throat lining while buried in sand.
Observe: Look for the spines along the front of the shell.