Eastern Spiny Softshell
Scientific Name: Apalone spinifera
Photo Credit: JD Willson
Softshells often bask on sandbars or logs or lie buried in sand in shallow water. The eastern spiny softshell lives in the western mountains of North Carolina. Coloration ranges from olive-gray to yellowish-brown with spots or blotches on the shell. They feed on fish, crayfish, and other aquatic invertebrates. Nests are generally located close to water, often on sand or gravel bars or in people’s yards.
Explore the full species profile, including their habitat, diet, and behavior on Herps of NC.