Softshell turtles Softshell Turtles of the Savannah River Site Click on the scientific names below for a description and picture of the species. The spiny softshell turtle is easily identified by its round, flattened, pancake-like shell. The tan surface of its rough, leathery carapace has small, spiny projections. The spiny softshell also has a very long neck, a pointed snout, sharp claws and lacks any scutes or scales. Although often seen basking, spiny softshells will bury in the sandy bottoms of streams and rivers.
Males have long, thick tails, and the entire carapace is covered with the spiny tubercles.
In females, the tubercles are usually concentrated at the anterior portion of the carapace, but scattered clusters may occur over the remainder. Females lay 15 to 20 round eggs in sandy banks or gravel bars in June or July.