spiny softshell

[Bobbleton]

In NJ, there's an introduced turtle called the spiny softshell. As the name implies, they're a softshell turtle--a very unique characteristic--the shell is more like skin or leather than like bone.

During this season I plan to take a trip out specifically to find one of these exceptional animals--it'd be an important check of my lifelist.
While its plausible to find them anywhere in the state, I've read and heard of one well established population in cumberland county--in the Maurice river system. Unfortunatly that's where the trail ends.
If anyone has seen one of these guys or has more specific information regarding a population or location in that river system--please help a brother out.


-Bob

 

[daved]

eastern spiny softshell

I was wondering if you went there and found one. If so any details? I was reading and got the same info as you posted and wanted to check it out but never got the chance maybe this year

 

[Bobbleton]

sorry to say i never did. it was one of many goals i set for myself for 2005 and this one died in the intermediate planning stages. i was able to obtain more specific information about where to find them, but nothing seemed concrete enough to go through with a trip. I also had problems isolating an area that both had an established population, and that i was free to tromp (and camp) in.

-Bob

 

[Krloucks]

Softshells

As far as I know, only having read literature, that the population in the Maurice River system is thriving.
Softshells are also established in the Neshaminy creek, a tributary of the Delaware, here in Bucks county Pa. Both populations are, of course, introductions.
k

 

[Krloucks]

softshells

I'm sure you have this link, not much info though. Let us know how you make out.
http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/turtles.pdf#search='new%20jersey%20reptiles%20and%20amphibians'


k

 

[dragoncjo]

Found a possible soft shell habitat you may be interested in checking out. While down a manumuskin river preserve I found a new trail which wraps around menatico creek I believe. The area consists of mud flats and banks, the water is not stagnant but fairly fast moving, which softies like. It contains a muddy bottom and is part of the maurice river system. I would say the water is somewhere between fresh water and brackish. In this picture the area is located in the top left hand corner.



The area may provide photo oppurtunities as for catching one you would probably need a kayak or small boat. I will be down there throughout this spring and summer so I will let you know what I see. The area is also a great place to find pine snakes, possibly corn snakes and bald eagles.

 

[dragoncjo]

Here is some other old locations of softies in new jersey, found it will doing some research, might help you out.
"In New Jersey, A. s. spinifera were collected from Cooper's Creek, Camden County, in 1902; Kearn's Lake, Elmer, in the years 1949, 1957, 1959,and 1960, Palatine Lake in 1954, and observed in Rainbow Lake and Willow Grove Lake in 1961, Salem County (Conant, 1961). Conant (1961) indicated that this was evidence they had dispersed via the Maurice River. The eastern spiny softshell is now found throughout the Maurice River System of New Jersey (Conant and Collins, 1998), which includes Cumberland County"