Spiny Soft-shell Turtle

The Spiny Soft-shell Turtle, Apalone spinifera, is one of the largest freshwater turtle species in North America. It is found throughout much of the United States, as well as north into the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and south into the Mexican states of Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, Chihuahua, Baja California and Morelos.

The species has been redefined numerous times, leading to some confusion in its taxonomy. There are seven recognized subspecies which vary primarily by geography, and are not easily distinguishable from one another. They get their name from the spiny, cone-like projections on the leading edge of their carapace.

Photo by LA Dawson