07 Soft-Shelled
Apalone muticus muticus
These little guys are really interesting.
I found the nest on 06-15-07 and it was completely dug up, most likely by a raccoon.
It was located along Hwy 61 north of Wapello, Iowa.
The nest was on a sand bar where I have observed at least 20 different softshelled turtles on any given morning.
Some were laying eggs while others were basking. At this particular spot over the months of May, June, and beginning of July every morning that there was full sun on the sand bar turtles were observed. In the early afternoon as long as there was full sun there were turtles observed.
I removed 15 eggs from the uncovered nest. One egg was so brittle that it broke when touched, but I still tried to incubate this egg. This brittle egg died after a week in the incubator, leaving me with 14 eggs.
All eggs were incubated at 84 degrees F. the entire time.
They started to hatch August 10th and were all out of the egg by August 13th,
except for the guy below all the other babies hatched just fine.
This little guy piped the egg and was sticking his head out, but didn't come completely out of the egg.
I pulled him out after 3 days and his eggsack was covered in maggots.
He died after 2 days outside of the egg.
Where are they now.
All except 3 were released into small streams leading to larger rivers with great sand bars. I wish them all the best of luck.
The remain 3 will stay with me until after next spring, at which time if they are at 4 inches in carapass length they will also be released. The reason I am waiting is to be sure at least one of these turtles makes it to an adult breedable size.
Note: I am working in conjunction with Wapsi River Wildlife Project. All work was overseen by licensed wildlife rehabbers.