Facts about Spiny Softshell Turtle
The Spiny Softshell Turtle is a species of softshelled turtle. It is also called Goose-neck turtle and leatherback turtle. In French it is known as Tortue luth, tortue-molle ā épines. In German it is called Lederschildkröte. In Spanish this turtle is called Tortuga-casco suave espinosa. This species may remain buried at the bottom of its aquatic habitat for most of the day; however, it occasionally basks on sandbars or steep riverbanks. The spiny softshell remains submerged for long periods by absorbing oxygen through the skin and lining of the throat while carbon dioxide diffuses across the skin. In northern regions, this species hibernates beneath the ice for several months each winter. These turtles mate in mid to late spring in deep water. The male will nudge the female's head while swimming and if she chooses to mate, the male will swim above the female without clasping her with his claws(this is unlike other turtles). They get their name from the spiny, cone-like projections on the leading edge of their carapace, which are not scutes (scales). They produce atleast one clutch of 4 to 32 eggs each year. The species was first described by Charles Alexandre Lesueur in 1827. The Spiny Softshell Turtle becomes sexually mature between ages 8 and 10. A large female turtle may live up to 50 years. Female Spiny Softshell Turtle can lay between 9 to 38 round calcareous-shelled eggs. |
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