A visit to the City Park revealed turtles in the small pond wanting to be fed. (There is a dispenser where one can buy pellets to feed the turtles and ducks). One of the turtles was a Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera).

In the photograph above, the long paddle-shaped front legs are evident. Softshell Turtles are very fast swimmers. This specimen is either a male or a young female because older females tend to lose the spots on the carapace.

The photograph above shows the long tubular snout and neck characteristic of Softshell Turtles

This photograph was taken at a park in South Georgia. It shows a Softshell Turtle, probably a Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox), on land. The flat shape of these turtles helps to reduce drag and increase their swimming speed.

A Common Snapping Turtle (Ch;elydra serpentina) was also in the City Park Pond hoping for a handout.

This photograph of the Snapping Turtle’s head shows its tubular nostrils that can be closed for underwater activities. To the left of its head can be seen the long claws on its front leg.

Out visit to the City Park was cut a bit short when our granddaughter ate some of the turtle food, and it upset her stomach!