Eastern Spiny Softshell

Apalone spinifera spinifera — Trionychidae

5–17 inches Males 5–9.25 in.; females 7–17 in.

IUCN

Least Concern

Federal (US)

None

Virginia

None

VWAP Tier

Tier IVa

Habitat

aquaticriparian

Found in Virginia

Piedmont Valley and ridge Appalachian plateau

How to identify

Flat, leathery shell without scutes
Long, flexible, tube-like snout
Olive to tan coloring with dark spots or ocelli
Spiny or rough projections on front edge of carapace
Extremely fast in water

About this species

Virginia's only softshell turtle, the eastern spiny softshell is immediately recognizable by its flat, leathery shell and long, tubular snout. They are extremely fast swimmers and spend most of their time buried in sandy river bottoms with just their snout protruding to breathe. Despite their docile appearance, they can deliver a surprisingly powerful bite.

Often confused with

North American Snapping Turtle

Snapping turtles have a hard, ridged carapace and a long saw-toothed tail; softshells have a leathery, flat shell and a long snout

Did you know

"Spiny softshells can absorb oxygen directly through their skin and the lining of their throat, allowing them to stay submerged for hours without surfacing to breathe."

Sightings & citizen science

Help document Virginia wildlife by logging your sightings on iNaturalist. Every observation builds the conservation data that researchers and rehabbers depend on.

View Eastern Spiny Softshell observations on iNaturalist ↗

Found one injured?

If you've found an injured or displaced Eastern Spiny Softshell in Virginia, our triage guide walks you through what to do.

Triage guide →