I was out for my typical walk along the Wisconsin River when I saw this goliath. At 15 to 17 inches long, she is larger than average. She was passive in nature, but I was very careful to keep distance and always be very alert. She hid when I first walked up to her; retracting her entire head into her shell; but the longer I sat there the more 'comfortable' she became with my presence. I walked away for 15 minutes, and when I got back she had moved almost 30 feet (hence the change in scenery for the last photo).For more information about the Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle, try these links:
Herp.net about softshell turtles
Wisconsin DNR site for Midland Smooth Softshell Turtle
(Male turtles of this species are typically only 7 to 9 inches long while females are typically 14 inches long. This led to my assumption that the turtle was female.)
about 120 feet from the Wisconsin River and .4 miles north of the Brokaw Bridge
taken with a Nikon D50 on June 7, 2007 by jls
See all of the June 7th shoot (there's more than just a turtle) at fourpointedstar.smugmug.com
6 comments:
That is a cool turtle! I've never seen one like that.
I wondered if that was a Softshell. I guess I do remember a thing or two about turtles:) Wish I could have been there to see it!
I would like to know, however, why you think this is Mrs. Turtle and not Mr. Turtle...
I should add that in this particular species the males are only 7 to 9 inches long, while the females are typically 14 inches long.
Wow!!! that is one cool Momma Turtle. I love the pointy nose on her.
That's a whopper! Was she pregnant? Speaking of pregnancy, how's your baby?
The kids are enjoying the pictures. Crystal loves the butterflies. John wants to see them ALL each time. Douglas thinks they are too good for just his uncle to have taken them...
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