Eastern Spiny Softshell
The eastern spiny softshell has small bumps or spines on the front of the upper shell and a small ridge on each side of the snout. Shell color varies with age and sex. Males and young turtles have an olive or grayish-tan upper shell with small black dots and circles and a black line along the margin. Adult females have a dark olive or tan upper shell with brown and gray blotches. The lower shell is a plain cream color. Head and limbs are normally tan or olive with small brown or black spots. A yellow stripe, bordered by dark brown, runs from the snout through the eye and along the side of the head; another light stripe runs from the jaw onto the neck.
Though they lack a hard shell, softshells defend themselves with strong jaws and by being fast swimmers. They also use their strong, sharp claws to defend themselves when picked up. They should be handled very carefully to avoid injury. This species inhabits large rivers and streams, plus lakes and large ponds. A muddy or sandy bottom is preferred. Like other softshells, this species is well equipped for an aquatic life, with a flat, round, smooth upper shell covered with skin; webbed toes; and a long, tubular snout that functions like a snorkel.
It eats a variety of aquatic animals, including crayfish, insects, snails, tadpoles, and fish, but is not a threat to Missouri’s game fish populations. This species is active from March to October. To escape the cold temperatures of winter, it digs 2–4 inches into the mud at the bottom of a river or lake. Courtship and mating occur in April and May, and eggs are laid from late May through July. Females lay 4–32 eggs in a nest on a sand or gravel bar, or a sandy opening near water. These hatch from late August to October. The shells of young turtles are about 1¼ to 1½ inches long.
To Find GZ for this Multi Cache You need to Answer the Question Below:
What is the Post Code of the Posted Cords for this Cache?
2658 equils S34° 27.967 E148° 44.401
2586 equils S34° 27.679 E148° 44.014
2568 equils S34° 27.796 E148° 44.410
2865 equils S34° 27.697 E148° 44.140