Turtle experts needed...

[TheEngineer]

There is a creek across from our property on the other side of the road...this little guy was at the edge of the road as we pulled in the drive last night. We both thought it was a rock at first...very flat and only about 3" tall, but it was probably 14-16" long and 10-12" wide.

Anybody know what kind of turtle this is?

 

[ghuns]

Softshell. Oh, and they bite.

Not like a snapper, but enough to get your attention.

 

[jsgolfman]

And they taste good as well

 

[ghuns]

And they taste good as well

I have caught, cleaned and cooked dozens of snappers, but never ate a softshell. The only one I ever caught was not very big, and had a very bad attitude. That's how I know they bite.

 

[K_W]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg1ZVoe0BoM

 

[w_ADAM_d88]

As said above... Softshell!

 

[freekforge]

The guy across the river from me caught 4 of those in about 15min. the other night I know from his screams that they do bite

 

[Frosty]

I never realized those would bite... Glad I never messed with them

 

[phylodog]

They also have extremely long necks compared to most other turtles, handle with caution. I won't touch em after watching my Grandfather clean them as a kid.

 

[spencer rifle]

Probably a Spiny Softshell as opposed to a Smooth Softshell - notice the spikes on the shell just above the neck.

 

[Balinor]

They are very fast swimmers and as stated they bite and have very long necks handle at the very back of the shell, and be ready to have it try to bite and may get loose anyway from its attempt.

 

[.458socomhunter]

Eastern spiny softshell. An adult female. Males stay small. As stated earlier, they are a game species and do bite. They also swim incredibly fast and well.

 

[xM3RC1L3SS1x]

Softshell. Oh, and they bite.

Not like a snapper, but enough to get your attention.

Several years ago I picked one up, although it was significantly smaller. Yes, they do bite. I found out the hard way. . Sorta took me by surprise.

 

[trimman83]

I was also impressed with the way they can dig and bury themselves. I once set one down on some fairly freshly laid limestone 53's(not yet too heavily compacted) It took about 3 seconds for that turtle to totally bury itself. No part of it could be seen. It was the first and last soft-shell I ever cleaned. My preference is more for the snappers.

 

[indiucky]

Probably a Spiny Softshell as opposed to a Smooth Softshell - notice the spikes on the shell just above the neck.

She is a punk rock turtle...That is all the rage amongst the youngsters with their Ramones records...Oh wait...Wrong decade..Wrong species....

 

[Hookeye]

I've caught 'em, and snappers too. Both of decent size.
One softshell (the biggest I ever caught) made the snappers look rather mild in attitude.
Never been bitten by either but yeah, ol' softshell has my respect.

 

[eric001]

As stated above, softshells are not only prone to bite, but have that nice long neck--and they're quick (almost as quick as marsupials!). Give one a stick to reach out and bite...one slice later it won't be biting anything anymore. And they are quite delicious!

 

[dtkw]

When I was a kid, watched some farmer lured the turtle to get a bite of a lecture When the turtle took the bail, Chop! Cut its head off, then skinned it and cooked it to eat. Liked I said, I watched only, didn't eat. So I don't know how good or bad it tasted.

 

[Yeah]

They can make good speed on land as well.

Tastier, to me, than snappers, but less meat for the work taking them apart.