Midland Smooth Softshell turtle (Apalone mutica mutica)
Click here for tips on distinguishing the Midland Smooth Softshell from the Eastern Spiny Softshell.
...the smooth softshell's interesting carapace pattern of dots and dashes (click here for more on their shell pattern).
...as a size reference, you can see how small this hatchling Midland Smooth Softshell turtle is! He's much smaller than my iPhone.
...the umbilicus still shows on this hatchling Midland Smooth Softshell.
For a video I took of baby Smooth Softshell turtles burrowing into the sand, click here.
Click here for additional Midland Smooth Softshell turtle photos.
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14 comments:
wow! he IS tiny! i was envisioning much larger - like a red-eared slider. :)
Oh they're much tinier than I thought! Nice photos.
I have never seen such a creature, how cool!
That guy really is tiny, Kelly... You find the neatest things to photograph... He's a cutie!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
oh an interesting little turtle with tiny spots. Size comparison was very helpful; great idea!
Superb photos, Kelly! I'm glad you showed the comparison shot because I thought they were bigger.
Good idea using the phone for size comparison. So small. So cute!!
The straight and curved dashes on his shell look unnatural to me, like a child's stiching or a connect-the-dot game!
Fascinating little creature.
Excellent pictures too Kelly.
That has got to be the coolest looking turtle I've ever seen! Great shots, Kelly!
What a tiny and very strange species Kelly.
Never seen anything like that.
This little turtle is so tiny. What interesting photos.
...thanks, everyone. This little hatching was adorable. I'm so glad I was able to photograph him. As this turtle matures it will grow. The male carapace length grows to around 7 inches, while the female can grow to 14 inches.
I have never seen one before! It's amazing. Love those alligator eyes! And what a funny little nose:)~karen
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