Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica)

Description: Females 6½ - 14 inches, males 4½ - 7 inches. Smooth Softshell Turtles have a soft, flat, flexible upper shell (carapace). They are often described as looking like chocolate chip pancakes, even being called "pancake turtles" by some people. The front edge of the upper shell is smooth giving the turtle its name. The nostrils are smooth and round.

Similar Species: Spiny Softshell Turtles are similar in appearance, but have spines and bumps on the front edge of the upper shell, and have D-shaped nostrils with a small ridge in them.

Age in years of Most Recent Record
75+ 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5
                             

This map is generated from data provided by the Drake University Biodiversity Center, observations from HerpMapper.org, the Iowa DNR Natural Areas Inventory, as well as other sources. Please help us keep it up to date by reporting your sightings to HerpMapper.

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