Trionychidae is a family of turtles, commonly known as softshell turtles or simply softshells. The family was described by Leopold Fitzinger in 1826. Softshells include some of the world's largest freshwater …

Softshell turtles are a fascinating group within the turtle order, distinguished by their flattened bodies and leathery shells. These ancient reptiles are found across the Americas and Asia, thriving in a variety …

Softshell turtle, (family Trionychidae), any of about 30 turtle species characterized by a flattened shell. The shell lacks the epidermal scutes (large scales) characteristic of most turtles, as in the …

Jun 17, 2020 · Softshell turtles refer to turtles of the family Trionychidae. These turtles have no hard shells instead they have tough leathery skin.

The Florida Softshell Turtle is a species of American freshwater turtles, and is one of the 26 species of turtles found in Florida. They are the largest of the New World softshell turtles with the most Old …

Jun 13, 2025 · Softshell turtles are primarily carnivorous and require a large, clean tank with specific temperature and lighting conditions. Due to their aggressive nature, softshell turtles are not …

Sep 17, 2025 · Explore softshell turtles (Trionychidae), the flat-shelled aquatic predators with snorkel-like snouts and ambush hunting prowess. From their flexible carapaces and global freshwater …

Oct 28, 2025 · We’ll explore the most common types of softshell turtles you might encounter, dive deep into creating the perfect habitat, and cover the essential best practices for their care.

The smooth softshell turtle is a medium-sized freshwater turtle known for its flat, leathery shell and long, snorkel-like nose. These turtles inhabit large rivers and streams with sandy or muddy bottoms where …

Jan 21, 2026 · In this guide, I’m going to walk you through each of the 5 softshell turtle species found in the US. For each one, I’ll share details about their physical appearance, size, natural habitat, diet …