Rondeau Ric

Noooo. You knew where we were going. Now everything looks the same and we are going to be late for the hatchling party. Apalone spinifera spinifera The Spiny Softshell is also known as the "pancake turtle" because of its rather flat, round, leathery upper shell, or carapace. The long neck and elongated, tubular snout allow this turtle to breathe while almost fully submerged and virtually unseen. Softshells ambush prey by lying concealed in bottom mud. source -Royal Ontario Museum

This is a spiny soft shelled turtle that we saw yesterday. It was probably waiting to come up on the beach to lay its eggs. They tend to be shy at the best of times so it was unusual for it to swim in beside the boat. Look closely and you can see the water rolling off its shell. Apalone spinifera The spiny softshell has a leathery shell lacking bony plates, and some say this turtle resembles a pancake with legs. The spiny softshell is currently listed as Threatened under the Ontario Endangered Species Act, 2007 and Threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act. The species has also been designated as a Specially Protected Reptile under the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act.

The creature of Rondeau Bay , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Looks slightly prehistoric, perhaps a little like the Loch Ness Monster. This is a soft-shelled turtle hatchling that was released a week ago. The researchers wait until the hatchlings enter the water or find shelter. Burrowing in the mud/sand/weeds is one way these bite sized turtles hide from predators. Scientific stuff Apalone spinifera The soft-shell is one of the largest freshwater turtle species in North America. They get their name from the spiny, cone-like projections on the leading edge of their carapaces, which are not scutes (scales) Spiny soft-shells begin mating between ages 8 and 10. A large female turtle may live up to 50 years. The primary threat to spiny soft-shell turtle populations is thought to be habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation resulting from shoreline development or agricultural activity. Other threats include predation of eggs and young, environmental contamination, and injury and de...

Soft shelled turtle , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. As with most turtles in Ontario the soft-shelled turtle is endangered. In certain areas they are fairly common but only in a few areas. This turtle was confiscated when the owners tried to sell it. It now has a home at the visitor centre at Rondeau Provincial Park. Apalone spinifera