Spiny Softshell Turtle
Spiny Softshell TurtleSpiny Softshell TurtleSpiny Softshell TurtleSpiny Softshell Turtle

Spiny Softshell Turtle

Apalone spinifera

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
5–10% · Rare
overall probability at Joshua Tree National Park
22 Verified records at Joshua Tree National Park
August Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's active during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

The spiny softshell turtle (Apalone spinifera) is a species of softshell turtle, one of the largest freshwater turtle species in North America. Both the common name, spiny softshell, and the specific name, spinifera (spine-bearing), refer to the spiny, cone-like projections on the leading edge of the carapace, which are not scutes (scales). Wikipedia →

5–10% of wildlife watchers report a Spiny Softshell Turtle sighting in Joshua Tree National Park, based on 22 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

📅 Monthly Probability

<5
Jan
<5
Feb
5–10
Mar
5–10
Apr
5–10
May
<5
Jun
<5
Jul
5–10
Aug
<5
Sep
5–10
Oct
<5
Nov
<5
Dec

☀️ When They're Spotted

Most active during daytime hours (6am–6pm) · across all parks (global)

☀️Diurnal
☀️🌙🌙12am6am12pm6pm12am

Global Distribution

Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.

where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is)  ·  parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Probability
1 Big Bend National Park 🇺🇸 United States
20–30%
2 Cumbres de Monterrey National Park 🇲🇽 Mexico
10–20%
3 Congaree National Park 🇺🇸 United States
5–10%
4 Great Smoky Mountains National Park 🇺🇸 United States
5–10%
5 Joshua Tree National Park 🇺🇸 United States
5–10%
6 Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data
7 Point Pelee National Park 🇨🇦 Canada
Insufficient data
8 Everglades National Park 🇺🇸 United States
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Spiny Softshell Turtle in Joshua Tree National Park?

About 5% of wildlife watchers report a Spiny Softshell Turtle sighting in Joshua Tree National Park, based on 22 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Spiny Softshell Turtle in Joshua Tree National Park?

August has the highest sighting rate for Spiny Softshell Turtle in Joshua Tree National Park in our monthly data.

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