Do Florida Softshell Turtles Bite

Like many turtles females are large than males.

Do florida softshell turtles bite. It is the largest of the florida softshells reaching a carapace length of 30 inches 2 5 and a mass of 100 pounds. Most american softshell turtles reach lengths of 5 to 11 inches as adults although the florida softshell is known to reach lengths of 24 inches. Bites from large softshell turtles may be very serious. The long necks of the softshell turtle mean that it can reach back to bite you.

These turtles are popular for their meat though some people keep them as pets. The florida softshell turtle like other softshells tend to be more aggressive because of their reduced or soft shells in contrast to their more protected relatives. The shell of the florida softshell turtle is soft which makes the species vulnerable to the predators. The florida softshell will readily migrate over land to nearby wetter areas if their wetland dries.

The creature like this 40 pound specimen is the heaviest and bulkiest of all north. While most turtles have hard shells composed of scutes the florida softshell has a cartilaginous carapace covered in leathery skin. Like the japanese sumo wrestler the florida softshell turtle trionix ferox is definitely a heavyweight. Highway 27 at lake jackson over the last few years.

Even small softshell turtles can give a painful bite. While small softshell turtles can t cause much damage bites from large softshell turtles can be very serious. Oh my gosh yes. Whenever it feels stressed it can act aggressively.

Why do the florida softshell turtles bite. In short the florida softshell turtle uses its long neck to reach up to the predator and the sharp jaw to attack. Of all the turtles i do find dead on the highway my heart always aches a little more when i find a dead softshell. They do eat fish and occasionally young water birds but no significant effects on prey populations have been reported florida softshell turtles are aggressive and will bite if handled or restrained but are probably harmless to humans if left alone.

If you are holding a soft shell then don t get your hand or. The florida softshell is omnivorous. Popular pets even commonly kept species such as red eared sliders trachemys scripta elegans yellow bellied sliders trachemys scripta scripta and cooters pseudemys ssp may bite if frightened. Besides size the florida softshell can be distinguished from the others by the low round tubercles along the nape of the carapace.

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. I have saved many from sure death on u s. Florida softshell turtles are generally harmless to human interests.