RANGE Southern Canada, eastern and central United States, northern Mexico
HABITAT Rivers, streams, lakes, marshes
DIET Frogs, tadpoles, fish, worms, aquatic insects, mollusks, and crawfish
Unlike other turtles, the spiny softshell turtle lacks horny scutes. Instead, this species is covered with a tough, pliable, leathery skin. This turtle can absorb oxygen through its skin and through the lining of the throat and cloaca, allowing it to hibernate underwater for up to 6 months.
They are strong swimmers with large webbed feet and are extremely fast both on land and in water. If disturbed, they will quickly retreat into the water and bury themselves in sand, leaving only their heads visible.
