Rondeau Ric

Checked in with the turtle recovery team and there were a number of turtles hatching out including this soft shelled turtle. Apalone spinifera In Canada, females of this species may take more than 10 years to mature. Spiny softshells mate in spring, usually in deep water, and nest in June and July in open sandy or gravelly areas close to water. Females lay up to 36 eggs, though the typical clutch size is around 20

This soft-shelled turtle was placid one moment and an instant later it was lunging at the camera. Camera shy I guess. Apalone spinifera The spiny softshell is Ontario’s only turtle with a flexible, leathery carapace (upper shell) and the only species in the province that can attain a size comparable to that of the snapping turtle. The carapace of females of this large turtle may reach 43 centimetres in length, and that of males may reach a length of about 23 centimetres. source - Ontario Nature

Soft shelled turtle , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. While out on our pontoon boat we came across this female soft shelled turtle on the beach. It was getting ready to lay eggs but it stopped and watched us. As we drifted nearby two turtle researchers came over a sand dune and the turtle spooked. It moved very quickly across the sand and into the water. Soft shells move surprisingly fast when the need arises. The researchers looked for a nesting site but were unable to find one. Soft shells, like most turtles, are at various levels of risk due to habitat loss and poachers. Apalone spinifera