The Soft-shelled Turtles 



but the head markings are important. As but four species are to 

 be described, and these may be separated, as seen by tiie key, 

 into two groups, according to the structure of the carapace, the 

 descriptions may be concise, and identifications should be made 

 readily. 



THE SOUTHERN SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE 

 Trionyx ferox, (Schweigger) 



Largest of the North American species; attains a length 

 (of shell) of 1 8 inches and a weight of about 30 pounds. The 

 carapace is not much longer than broad; on the jroni margin 

 is a row of conical tubercles; these are but little developed on 

 young specimens. When the animal is out of the water, the edges 

 of the carapace droop about it. The central portions are much 

 harder, as the skeleton — the ribs and vertebra, lies close to the 

 surface; the outlines of these bones may be detected on very 

 old or thin examples. The tail is very thick and moderately 

 long, with the vent situated near the tip. When the head and 

 front limbs are withdrawn, the forward, thin flap of the carapace, 

 closes against the plastron; the hind limbs are unprotected. 



Colouration. — Perfectly adult specimens have a uniform, 

 dull brown carapace. The head is brown, with very indistinct 

 pale bands, but these may be seen to join immediately in front 

 of the eyes. The plastron is immaculate white. 



Specimens not fully grown have an olive or pale brown 

 carapace, marked with dull, black spots, or dots, disposed in 

 rings. On each side of the head and neck is a yellowish band; 

 this extends forward through the eye, and unites with its fellow 

 on the top of the head a short distance in front of the eyes. The 

 character evinced by these bands is important in distinguishing 

 the species from the Spiny Soft-shclled Turtle, on the top of the 

 head of which, the bands unite way forward— at the base of the 

 proboscis. 



Very young specimens are gaily coloured. 



Dimensions. — The writer's largest specimen had a carapace 

 18 inches long and 15^ inches wide. It weighed 29 pounds, 

 and was captured in an inlet of the Indian River, Florida. 



Distribution. — Georgia and southward throughout Florida; 

 westward through Louisiana— in rivers and ponds with a muddy 

 bottom; often in brackish water. The species is edible and 



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