Soft shell turtles are ambush predators, living in the water and waiting to ambush prey. As carnivorous predators, soft shell turtles feed upon fish, mollusks, insects, reptiles and carrion.
Turtle meat can provide pet softshell turtles with a nutritious treat in captivity, being high in proteins, fatty acids and calcium.
Contents
Substrate
Turtles inhabit fresh water environments such as lakes, rivers, retention ponds and streams. While turtles typically prefer slow moving waters they can survive in faster-paced environments as well.
Most species of spiny softshell turtles are carnivorous; however, some will consume aquatic plants or algae as food sources. Their diet in the wild includes crayfish, aquatic insects, mollusks and fish; they hunt their prey by swimming underwater to ambush passing animals or wait submerged until the right moment to ambush passing animals with submersed waiting spots in sand or mud to ambush passing animals.
Care of spiny softshells requires providing them with a soft, sandy substrate that mimics their natural environment and free of harmful chemicals or sharp edges. In addition, there should be places for sleeping, resting, and basking where the animals can find refuge from harmful weather conditions.
Decorations
Apart from a substrate, consider filling your tank with logs, rocks and plants to add visual interest and hideaway spots for your turtle to play and explore. A heat lamp should also be included to provide warmth; misting their enclosure daily helps keep soil damp and supple.
Softshell turtles, unlike their hard-shell counterparts, are susceptible to predators such as birds, raccoons and skunks who prey upon eggs and hatchlings for sustenance. Fishing activity or boat traffic may disturb them as well; propellers may entangle or harm these turtles further.
The eastern Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera) is a medium-sized turtle found across North America in ponds, rivers and streams. This turtle’s name comes from its distinctive small knobby projections on its carapace (upper shell), making its surface appear like sandpaper. Additionally, this species’ meat can be cooked and prepared similarly to chicken or veal when prepared as food for humans.
Water
Softshell turtles thrive in freshwater environments that have cool temperatures and have murky or sandy bottoms, in particular areas with plenty of vegetation such as leaves, flowers, algae or aquatic vegetation. Their diet consists of animal protein (including fish, crabs, earthworms, earthworms frogs snakes birds etc) along with plant matter such as leaves flowers algae etc.
Apalone spinifera can be found in freshwater bodies with either mud or sand bottoms and banks, and its name derives from its distinctive, thorn-like spines protruding from its carapace. Polygynandrous in nature, males and females will mate with multiple partners; its color can range from tan through muddy-brown and olive with various spots or spots present on it’s shells.
The Spiny Softshell is listed as both an endangered and threatened species in Vermont and Canada, where its meat resembles that of poultry, veal or beef and has traditionally been consumed in Asian countries. When prepared, its shell, head and entrails should all be removed prior to cooking for best results – it should then either be served boiled, stewed or as soup.
Food
Soft shell turtles are strict carnivores in their wild environments, feeding on crayfish, aquatic insects, snails, amphibians, fish and even birds. Their long nostrils and necks allow them to take in surface air with their heads submerged for extended periods while searching for food underwater.
Captive American alligator snapping turtles require large habitats with water for them to swim in and areas for them to bask in sunlight and thermoregulate in. Wild alligator snappers act as ambush predators by waiting until prey swim by before snapping it up with their long snouts. In captivity they should be fed a diet consisting of fresh or frozen whole fish, gut-loaded crickets that have been fed nutritious foods that they pass onto your turtle and floating turtle pellets.
This dish is a popular Vietnamese specialty and an ideal way to introduce children to turtle meat, which provides many essential vitamins and nutrients necessary for growth and strength. Feel free to substitute chicken instead of turtle, while using other veggies such as mushrooms and tomatoes for additional flavor in this nourishing broth.
