These turtles are members of the family Trionychidae, which has a total of two representatives in Indiana. Subspecies: Two subspecies are currently recognized, Gulf Coast Smooth Softshell, A. m. calvata (Webb, 1959) and Midland Smooth Softshell, A. m. mutica. Smooth Softshell Turtle. The shell lacks any distinct bumps or coloration. 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 - They quickly settle in and will swim about their tanks as much as fish. Natural History: Males and juveniles congregate in sandy shallows to bury in the substrate and bask along exposed banks. They're excellent swimmers and do well in mostly water tanks, with plants and other under water objects. Natural Resources Building The Smooth Softshell's distribution in Indiana follows major rivers, including the Wabash, Ohio, and Blue. The Smooth Softshell inhabits larger rivers and prefers to bask, nest, and conceal itself in sandy areas, like emergent sand bars. See Key to Illinois Turtles for help with identification. 13 (10): 429-611). 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. While most turtles have hard shells composed of scutes , the Florida softshell has … 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. It is very easy to recognize these turtles from the smooth appearance of their carapaces. Females of this species can reach 14-inches while males are about half that length. 15. The size of this area is 474 m for males and 750 m for young females. 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 large females. Mississippi Mud Turtle Kinosternon subrubrum hippocrepis. conservation efforts for the Smooth Softshell Turtle. It spends most of its time in the water, though on warm days will soak up the sun basking on sandbars. The Kaskaskia River supports a diverse turtle community, with the spiny softshell and Ouachita map turtle as the main competitors of the smooth softshell. It is the only species of a softshell turtle whose range spans the … 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). It is most abundant in the latter. Females are larger than males, with a carapace length of 16.5-35.6 cm (6.5-14 in.) Champaign, IL 61820. Smooth softshell turtles have a tubular snout with round nostrils that are usually positioned inferior, and they lack a septal ridge. 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). The spiny softshell is one of the most common turtle species in the Illinois River along with the red-eared slider. Diminishing habitat appears to be the primary reason for low populations of the smooth soft-shelled turtle. The male Smooth Softshell Turtle carapaces only reach half of this length. Check out the IDNR’s Wild About Illinois Turtles! Here, we need to know their conducive habitat, diet, and general physical health. FEATURES The female smooth softshell turtle averages seven to 14 inches in length while the male is usually five to seven inches long. 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). It is considered an endangered species in the state of Illinois. Last week, a concerned fisherman brought this gorgeous softshell turtle to the Wildlife Medical Clinic. They love to bury in sand with just their head exposed waiting to surprise a fish. St. H. Mem. Description: Medium-sized (up to 28 cm CL) turtle with tan, brown, or olive carapace with light posterior border. The smallest Illinois turtle is the spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata. Mississippi Map Turtle Graptemys pseudogeographica kohnii. 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). Turtle Ornate Box Turtle Smooth Softshell Spiny Softshell Red-eared Slider Year Round None 3 3 Any Method None None North Plastron white to cream. Illinois Mud Turtle Kinosternon flavescens spooneri. compared to 11.4-17.8 cm (4.5-7 in.) The male Smooth Softshell Turtle carapaces only reach half of this length. The spiny softshell turtle occurs throughout the state in lakes, sloughs, mud-bottomed streams, and sand-bottomed rivers. Description: Medium-sized (up to 28 cm CL) turtle with tan, brown, or olive carapace with light posterior border. Female is more solitary, wanders more, and utilizes deeper water than male. smooth softshell (Apalone mutica) and spiny softshell (Apalone spinifera). Smooth softshell turtle females move around quite a bit when searching for nesting habitat. ... Illinois, Snapping and Softshell Turtles are often sought for food. 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). woodlands and prairies, while the Smooth Softshell Turtle and Alligator Snapping Turtle favor rivers. 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. 22 mm diameter) in sand banks or bars from late May into July. It gives the animal a pancakelike appearance. This turtle lives exclusively in large rivers. If you don’t know what the species is, click on the text to work through the key. The diet includes a variety of animal foods but especially aquatic insects. Smooth Softshells quickly learn to come to feeding and will liven up any tank. 1827. Female lays multiple clutches of 6 to 26 round, brittle-shelled eggs (ca. website. The Smooth Softshell differs from the Spiny in being flatter and more circular, and lacking the "spines" on the front of the carapace. Spatial ecological information is lacking for many river turtles including the Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica), a species inhabiting the Midwestern United States. Nomenclatural History: males and juveniles congregate in sandy areas, like emergent sand bars,... Be attributed in part to loss of wetlands thicker tail with vent beyond! M long where they generally feed and live Five subspecies are currently recognized the! The Key of tank you need smooth, leatherlike, flexible carapace and long. 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