Meet the Turtles
Oddballs
Two other unusual turtles also live in the river and springs
Florida Chicken Turtle
Deirochelys reticularia
| ID: long neck with many yellow stripes wide mouth carapace length**: female 9.8" (249mm); male 6.2" (157mm) |
| Habitat: rare in river and springs |
| Diet: carnivore, specializing on crayfish and insects |
| Nesting season: September - March |
| • crepuscular • basks rarely |
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Florida Softshell Turtle
Apalone ferox
| ID: long neck leathery carapace snorkel nose carapace length*: female 19.9" (505mm); male 11.9" (303mm) |
| Habitat: river and springs |
| Diet: carnivore |
| Nesting season: March - July |
| • diurnal • basks rarely • fastest swimming turtle in the Santa Fe River • take from the wild prohibited May 1 to July 31 [Rule 68A-25.002(9)] |
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 plastron |
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Watch the video of "Virgil the Turtle" at Blue Grotto
* Carapace length listed is longest recorded in Santa Fe River
** Carapace length listed is longest recorded in Florida
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