Greater softshell turtle

The **greater softshell turtle** (*Pelodiscus floridanus*) is a species of softshell turtle that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the wetlands, brackish waters, lakes, rivers, and ponds across North America to help boost biodiversity. Females of the greater softshell turtle can reach up to 33 centimeters (13 inches) in carapace length, while the smaller males reach 27 centimeters (11 inches), but however have longer tails than the females. Maturity is reached at a carapace length of 18–19 centimeters (7–7.5 inches). It has webbed feet for swimming. They are called "softshell" because their carapace lacks horny scutes (scales). The carapace is leathery and pliable, particularly at the sides. The central part of the carapace has a layer of solid bone beneath it, as in other turtles, but this is absent at the outer edges. The light and flexible shell of these turtles allows them to move more easily in open water, or in muddy lake bottoms. The carapace of these turtles is olive in color and may have dark blotches. The plastron is orange-red, and may also have large dark blotches. The limbs and head are olive dorsally with the forelimbs lighter and the hind-limbs orange-red ventrally. There are dark flecks on the head and dark lines that radiate from the eyes. The throat is mottled and there may be small, dark bars on the lips. A pair of dark blotches is found in front of the tail as well as a black band on the posterior side of each thigh. These turtles are predominantly carnivorous and have been known to feed on fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and insects, although seeds of aquatic plants can be eaten. Greater softshell turtles often submerge their heads in water. This is because they carry a gene which produces a protein that allows them to secrete urea from their mouths. This adaptation helps them survive in brackish water by making it possible for them to excrete urea without drinking too much salty water. Rather than eliminating urea by urinating through their cloaca as most turtles do, which involves significant water loss, they simply rinse their mouths in the water. When provoked, certain populations of these turtles are capable of excreting a foul smelling fluid from pores on the anterior edge of their shells. These turtles reach sexual maturity sometime between 3 and 4 years of age, and they can live to be about 60 years on average. They mate at the surface or under water. A male will hold the female's carapace with its forelimbs and may bite at her head, neck, and limbs. Females may retain sperm for almost a year after copulation. The females lay 12–50 eggs in a clutch and may lay from 3 to 6 clutches each year. The eggs are laid in a nest that is about 76–102 mm (3–4 inches) across at the entrance. Eggs are spherical and average about 20 mm (0.79 inches) in diameter. After an incubation period of about 60 days, which may be longer or shorter depending upon temperature, the eggs hatch. Average hatchling carapace length is about 25 mm (1 inches) and width is also about 25 mm (1 inches). Sex of the hatchlings is not determined by incubation temperature. The conservation status of the greater softshell turtle is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts, the greater softshell turtle's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.