Species / Testudines taxon
Smooth Softshell Turtle
Apalone mutica
A medium-sized softshell turtle with a smooth, flat carapace, divided into two recognized subspecies: A. m. mutica and A. m. calvata.
Lineage: Turtles and Tortoises (TESTUDINES) > Cryptodira (CRYPTODIRA) > Softshell Turtles (TRIONYCHIA) > Softshell Turtles and Allies (TRIONYCHOIDEA) > Softshell Turtles (TRIONYCHIDAE) > Softshell Turtles Subfamily (TRIONYCHINAE) > North American Softshell Turtles (Apalone) > Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica). This path helps place the taxon within its family, genus, or species-level context.
- Chinese Name
- 平滑鳖
- English Name
- Smooth Softshell Turtle
- Scientific Name
Plate notes
Apalone mutica
Trivia
The specific epithet 'mutica' means 'blunt' or 'without a point,' referring to the smooth carapace. Two subspecies are recognized: A. m. mutica (smooth softshell) and A. m. calvata (Gulf Coast smooth softshell), distinguished by the presence of a small keel on the carapace in the latter.
Overview
A medium-sized softshell turtle with a smooth, flat carapace, divided into two recognized subspecies: A. m. mutica and A. m. calvata.
Scientific Name
Apalone mutica
Ecological Habits
Inhabits rivers, streams, and lakes with sandy or muddy bottoms and moderate current. Primarily carnivorous, feeding on aquatic insects, crayfish, fish, and mollusks. Buries in substrate for camouflage and hibernation. Basking is common on logs and sandbars.
Major Threats & Conservation
Threats include habitat destruction, water pollution, and collection for the pet trade. Though widespread, local declines have occurred. Conservation measures include habitat preservation and regulation of harvest. Listed as Least Concern due to large range.
Morphological Characteristics
Smooth, soft carapace without keels; color typically olive, greenish, or brown with small dark spots or blotches; plastron white or yellowish. Head and limbs are olive with yellow stripes. Males reach max SCL 26.6 cm, females up to 35.6 cm.
Natural Distribution & Conservation Status
Widely distributed in the central and eastern United States, from the Great Lakes region to the Gulf Coast, including states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania (extirpated), South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. Estimated indigenous area of occupancy (AOO): 652,923 sq km; extent of occurrence (EOO): 2,972,374 sq km. IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC) as of 2025. CITES: Appendix II (as Apalone spp.).
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Child taxa
Smooth Softshell Turtle currently includes 2 direct child taxa. Open any entry to continue through its lineage and reference material.