Florida Softshell Turtle Full Size
Many freshwater turtle species may be taken year round but softshell turtles may not be taken from the wild from may 1 to july 31.
Florida softshell turtle full size. It prefers to not inhabit faster moving rivers. Females in particular grow to be 29 inches and require an enclosure with a water capacity of 600 gallons or more. The florida softshell turtle is one of the most common softshell you can find. The females are larger than males making them sexually dimorphic.
For all other freshwater turtles take is limited to one turtle per person per day from the wild for noncommercial use. They can be kept in a large aquarium that s at least 75 to 100 gallons. It varies in size with males measuring from 6 12 inches 15 30 cm and females measuring double that at 11 24 inches 28 61 cm. For instance the florida softshell turtle can weigh over 40 pounds and reach over 2 feet long requiring a large area to swim.
Females can grow as large as 24 while males will be about half the size of females growing to about 12 the shell of a florida softshell turtle will be smooth as well as soft along the edge. Bulkiest of the softshell turtles but inhabits the smallest range. Like many turtles females are large than males. Ranging from olive green to dark brown it has the darkest.
Freshwater turtles only can be taken by hand dip net minnow seine or baited hook. Overall description the florida softshell turtle is the biggest of all of the north american softshell turtles. Females can grow as large as 24 while males will be about half the size of females growing to about 12. They need large tanks stock tanks or ponds to be comfortable.
This is living tissue and it is sensitive and vulnerable to infections and injuries. The florida softshell turtle is a large turtle with a flattened pancake like body a long neck an elongated head with a long snorkel like nose and large webbed feet each with three claws. The females are heavier. Besides size the florida softshell can be distinguished from the others by the low round tubercles along the nape of the carapace.
The shell is covered in leathery skin. The males measure from 6 12 inches while the females are double in length being 11 24 inches. They can weigh up to 20 kg. The shell of a florida softshell turtle will be smooth as well as soft along the edge.
It is the largest of the florida softshells reaching a carapace length of 30 inches 2 5 and a mass of 100 pounds. At roughly half that size the spiny and smooth softshell turtles are more manageable as pets. It has a flattened pancake like body a long neck and an elongated head with a long snorkel like nose. Adults are usually colored by a dark brown to brownish gray with also there are usually small dark bumps on the carapace.