Many people confuse softshell turtles and snapping turtles, often questioning if they are the same type of reptile. This widespread curiosity stems from their shared aquatic habitats and sometimes similar appearances from a distance. This article explores the unique characteristics of each species to clarify these distinctions.
Meet the Softshell Turtle
Softshell turtles have a distinctive appearance. Their most notable feature is their shell, which is flat, round, and covered in leathery skin rather than hard, bony scutes. This flexible shell allows them to move swiftly and with agility through water, aiding in prey pursuit. They also have a long, pointed snout that functions like a snorkel, enabling them to breathe while submerged.
These turtles are highly aquatic, preferring habitats with soft, sandy, or muddy bottoms in rivers, lakes, and ponds. They often bury themselves in the substrate, with only their snorkel-like snout exposed, waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey. Softshell turtles are primarily carnivorous, feeding on fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and aquatic insects. Their streamlined bodies and powerful webbed feet are well-suited for their predatory, aquatic lifestyle.
Meet the Snapping Turtle
Snapping turtles have a robust build and formidable appearance. Their carapace, or upper shell, is hard and often rough or ridged, providing significant protection. Unlike many turtles, their plastron, the bottom shell, is relatively small, leaving much of their limbs and underside exposed. They possess a large, triangular head and powerful jaws capable of delivering a strong bite.
A long, often saw-toothed tail can be nearly as long as their carapace. While in water, they are generally docile, but when encountered on land, they can become highly defensive, extending their long neck and snapping aggressively. These adaptable turtles inhabit a wide range of freshwater environments, including ponds, lakes, rivers, and swamps. Their diet is omnivorous, consisting of fish, small mammals, birds, amphibians, carrion, and aquatic vegetation.
Key Differences Between Them
Softshell turtles and snapping turtles are distinct species, despite sharing aquatic environments. The most apparent difference lies in their shells: softshell turtles have a flexible, leathery, and flattened carapace, contrasting with the hard, bony, and often ridged shell of snapping turtles. This fundamental structural variation influences their movement and defensive strategies.
Their heads and snouts also differ. Softshell turtles feature a long, pointed, snorkel-like snout for breathing underwater, whereas snapping turtles possess a broad, triangular head with powerful jaws. In temperament and behavior, softshells rely on their speed and agility in water, delivering quick defensive bites. Snapping turtles are known for their strong, defensive snapping action, especially when threatened outside of water. While both are highly aquatic, softshells are more specialized for a fully submerged lifestyle, often burying themselves in the substrate, while snapping turtles may traverse land more frequently between water bodies.