In the wild, softshell turtles are a favorite meal for alligators. And even in captivity, these turtles are much more vulnerable to injury than other pet turtles because they lack a hard shell. Wounds and consequent infections are common in softshell turtles, along with ear infections and intestinal parasites. Annual checkups with a veterinarian who specializes in exotic pets are recommended. Opt for a fecal exam to check for parasites, which can wreak havoc on a turtle's immune system and overall health.
Along with routine vet care, proper tank setup and water quality are key to keeping a healthy softshell turtle. Because of their complex care needs, softshell turtles usually aren't recommended for beginners. If you think a softshell turtle is a good fit for you, get your turtle from a reputable breeder or rescue organization that can provide information on its origin and health. Look for a turtle that is alert, moves quickly, and does not appear lethargic.
Remember, these animals move faster than many other turtle species. Any scaliness or cuts on the turtle's shell might indicate a turtle that has suffered an injury, which could mean it has other less obvious health issues as well.
Moreover, its eyes should be clear and free of any mucus or crustiness. Otherwise, check out other types of reptiles and amphibians that can be your new pet. Actively scan device characteristics for identification. Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. Select basic ads. Create a personalised ads profile. Select personalised ads. Apply market research to generate audience insights.
This removes bacteria and fungi, and stimulates regeneration of new, healthy skin. Without this provision, soft-shelled turtles are very susceptible to shell-skin infections that can eventually become systemic and kill the turtle. Watching soft-shelled turtles feed can be a fascinating and exciting event.
Live or pre-killed fish, insects and worms, as well as commercial fish and turtle pellets, are all appropriate fare for soft-shelled turtles. Fish and other live prey items will be hunted, pursued and ambushed, while pellets and other non-living items will be gobbled off the surface of the water with a quick gulp.
The basking habit is well developed in soft-shelled turtles, so suitable basking accommodations must be provided if they are to remain healthy and vigorous. It also allows the skin to dry completely, which enhances the benefits of burrowing mentioned previously. Failure to provide sufficient basking sites will lead to a whole host of potential health problems, including skin infections, shell rot, and ear abscesses, just to name a few. Natural and artificial platforms, such as driftwood and commercially manufactured plastic, should be placed in stable configurations extending down to the bottom of the tank.
Softshells are excellent swimmers, and there is no limit to tank size. A turtle should be allowed 5 to 10 gallons of water per inch of carapace length at a minimum, and the tank provided should be as large as possible. This means that the average adult softshell may need a tank up to gallons or more, so plan accordingly. And because they are lively, vigorous turtles, tank furnishings should be securely set into place to prevent any shifting or damage.
Keep in mind that even a large, strong soft-shelled turtle can become trapped under a substantial object and drown! Heat lamps and aquarium heaters can be used to regulate temperature ranges for pet soft-shelled turtles. Softshells are quite active, so titanium heaters are strongly recommended.
If a glass heater is used instead, it should be used with a guard or protective shroud to prevent breaking. Water temperatures should be kept in the range of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and air temps should be a few degrees warmer, around 75 to 85 degrees.
Temperatures for the basking spot should reach upward of 90 to degrees at its hottest point. These temperatures can be allowed to drop about 5 degrees at night, and another 5 degrees or so during the winter. In nature, wild softshells can endure temperatures well outside their optimum activity range, but subjecting captive turtles to these extremes is not necessary or recommended. Hatchling and juvenile soft-shelled turtles can be set up in something as simple as a mortar tub, with live or plastic plants and a water-safe chunk of driftwood for basking and hiding.
As previously mentioned — and this cannot be stressed enough — a sand substrate should be provided for health and welfare. Their ability to absorb oxygen out of the water has also made this species susceptible to water pollution. Other negative impacts on these turtles also include habitat degradation, changes in hydrological regimes, harvesting for food, as well as an increase in human disturbances in their nesting sites.
Disturbances from humans also include boating nearby nesting sites, with the waves from the boat causing egg exposure and erosion. These turtles are also caught as by-catch in the commercial fishing industry. Zealous efforts in conserving smooth softshell turtles need to include the protection of the waterways, as well as the surrounding land area, which is known to provide support to a large population of these turtles.
Activity for breeding among smooth softshell turtles usually happens from April to June, and even into September. Male turtles usually look for females by approaching other adult turtles. If the individual turtle approached turns out to be male, the response is usually passive, though it can also become aggressive in certain occasions. Females who are non-receptive are usually aggressive. In fact, during the breeding season, many male turtles have been observed with wounds that are inflicted by the female turtles.
Females that are receptive, however, are passive to male turtle advances. It has been observed that many males are present nearby a receptive female, all attempting to mate with her. When there is only one male turtle present, the female may end up chasing the male. Copulation usually happens in the water, with the receptive female turtle mounted from behind. For males to successfully mount females, deep water is usually required. A male turtle needs to swim in place for about 20 minutes just to keep his position.
Within this period, the male also needs to keep its vents properly aligned. Female Smooth softshell turtles lay only a single clutch every year. The average clutch size ranges from 15 to 25 eggs. According to records, the minimum observed the size of the clutch is 1 egg, while the maximum is 33 eggs. Clutches that are laid later in the season are generally smaller compared to the ones that are laid earlier in the season. The size of a clutch depends on the straight carapace length of the female.
Eggs feature a spheroidal shape, looking like ping-pong balls. Flooding and predation may have an impact on the survival of the eggs. In general, eggs hatch in about 8 to 12 weeks. The frequency in hatching is observed at the highest around August and September.
The hatchlings usually use their front claws in breaking right through the egg, depending on their claws than their caruncle. Their egg tooth is less used in contrast with other species. The hatchlings emerge generally from the nest around sunset. When they finally hatch, the hatchlings are entirely independent. Recently hatched turtles average 4 cm. Their caruncles usually drop off in about a week, while the umbilical scar is typically 2 mm in diameter. Male turtles typically become sexually mature when they reach their fourth year, and when their mean plastron length reaches 80 to 85 mm.
The females, on the other hand, become sexually mature in their ninth year with a mean plastron length ranging from to mm. Mature turtles attempt to mate right away the moment they emerge from hibernation. The volume of mature testes may vary depending on the season, with their testes reaching a maximum diameter size right before hibernation starts. Around April and May, the vas deferens of male turtles become swollen, with a size of 2 mm in diameter.
By June, their vas deferens is no longer swollen, but become filled with sperm again by October. These turtles are found in river drainages in Texas, Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. They are considered primarily riverine species, which means that they are closely associated with large rivers, sandbars, and sandy bottoms.
Even though the population of smooth softshell turtles is considered stable in the United States, a specific variety, the spiny softshell turtle has been listed recently as endangered species in Canada.
The reason for this is the observation that many of these turtles do not even reach their reproductive stage. In the wild, Softshell turtles eat a wide variety of amphibians, insects, eggs, as well as fish. On the other hand, in captivity, they are primarily carnivores. Still, they can easily adapt to turtle pellets given to them. Gut-loaded crickets, worms, fish, and other prey items can also be offered to these pets.
Even though these turtles are prized because of their taste, these turtles are known to be dangerous critters. They have powerful jaws, unusually long necks, and clawed feet, which can cause damage when they are handled carelessly.
This species of turtles is a wary variety. This means that you can find them immediately jumping into the water when they feel disturbed or threatened. They are amazingly fast swimmers. When they are handled and picked up, their first reaction is scratching and biting vigorously.
These turtles can get big. Always do your research before purchasing any animal. In zoos and aquariums, these turtles usually need relatively large habitats. Not only do they need a large water source to swim in, but they also require areas to haul out and bask in the sun or a lamp to thermoregulate. Their diet should be similar to their wild counterparts, and consist of small fish, invertebrates, and other aquatic creatures.
They require a more carnivorous diet than other turtle species, and pelleted food does not suffice for their care.
As ambush predators, these turtles spend most of their day lying in wait for prey to swim by. They will swim to the bank of the lake or pond, or climb onto a log, to bask in the sun and warm themselves back up periodically.
Some will hibernate or sleep on the bottom of the water, and only have to surface periodically. During hibernation periods some will remain submerged for months on end. Breeding practices vary greatly between species. Many species lay between 10 and 30 eggs, which they deposit in a hole on the riverbank. Most nest sites are sandy substrate, and they can fall prey to raccoons , skunks , foxes, and other predators.
The incubation period varies greatly between species, and hatchlings are fully independent when they emerge.
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