Sunday, October 16, 2011

More Midland Smooth Softshell turtle photos...

This is the same Midland Smooth Softshell turtle that appears here, except he's moved in to the sun. Same colorful eye...same water...but now his carapace has color too...

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:

  1. TexWisGirlOctober 16, 2011 at 7:02 PM

    wow! he IS tiny! i was envisioning much larger - like a red-eared slider. :)

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  2. MontanagirlOctober 16, 2011 at 7:19 PM

    Oh they're much tinier than I thought! Nice photos.

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  3. Jennifer MacNeillOctober 16, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    I have never seen such a creature, how cool!

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  4. Betsy Banks AdamsOctober 16, 2011 at 8:20 PM

    That guy really is tiny, Kelly... You find the neatest things to photograph... He's a cutie!!!!
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  5. Carole M.October 16, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    oh an interesting little turtle with tiny spots. Size comparison was very helpful; great idea!

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  6. ElaineOctober 16, 2011 at 10:57 PM

    Superb photos, Kelly! I'm glad you showed the comparison shot because I thought they were bigger.

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  7. SueOctober 17, 2011 at 4:44 AM

    Good idea using the phone for size comparison. So small. So cute!!

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  8. Wanda.....October 17, 2011 at 7:30 AM

    The straight and curved dashes on his shell look unnatural to me, like a child's stiching or a connect-the-dot game!

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  9. holdingmomentsOctober 17, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    Fascinating little creature.
    Excellent pictures too Kelly.

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  10. RoyOctober 17, 2011 at 8:45 AM

    That has got to be the coolest looking turtle I've ever seen! Great shots, Kelly!

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  11. RoyOctober 17, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    What a tiny and very strange species Kelly.
    Never seen anything like that.

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  12. CubyOctober 17, 2011 at 12:48 PM

    This little turtle is so tiny. What interesting photos.

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  13. KellyOctober 17, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    ...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.

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  14. KaHollyOctober 18, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    I have never seen one before! It's amazing. Love those alligator eyes! And what a funny little nose:)~karen

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