Spiny Softshell Turtle Care Guide: Habitat, Diet, and Health Tips

Do you want a pet turtle? I’m so happy you’re here! Today, I want to talk to you about the Spiny Softshell Turtle. This turtle is very special and different from other turtles you might see.

I have been taking care of turtles for many years. I want to help you learn how to care for your Spiny Softshell Turtle. When you take care of your turtle the right way, it will be happy and healthy. Your turtle can live for a very long time with you!

Taking care of a Spiny Softshell Turtle is not hard, but you need to know some important things first. I will teach you everything you need to know. Let me share all my tips with you so you can be the best turtle parent ever!

What Is A Spiny Softshell Turtle?

Before we start, let me tell you about this amazing turtle. The Spiny Softshell Turtle is not like other turtles. Most turtles have hard shells, but this turtle has a soft shell! You can feel it if you touch it gently.

Basic Information About Spiny Softshell Turtles

Here is what you need to know about your new turtle friend:

Scientific Name: Trionyx Spiniferus

Common Name: Spiny Softshell

How Big They Get: Up to 2 feet long (some can grow up to 2.5 feet!)

How Long They Live: More than 20 years (that’s a long time!)

What They Eat: Meat! They love fish, crayfish, and other small water animals

Where They Live: In fresh water like ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams

How They Act: They are very shy and like to hide

Baby Turtles: A mother turtle can lay 20 to 40 eggs at one time

Can You Keep Them in USA: Yes, you can keep them as pets

Are They Safe in the Wild: Sadly, they are critically endangered, which means we need to help protect them

The Spiny Softshell Turtle gets its name because it has small spines on its soft shell. These spines are near the front of the shell. Don’t worry – they won’t hurt you if you’re gentle!

Is It Easy To Take Care Of A Spiny Softshell Turtle?

Let me be honest with you. Taking care of a Spiny Softshell Turtle is not too hard, but it’s not super easy either. I think it’s somewhere in the middle!

These turtles need some special things to be happy. They need a big tank with lots of water because they love to swim. They also need a warm, dry place to rest. And they need special lights that help them stay healthy.

When your turtle is small, it won’t need as much space. But here’s what I want you to know – these turtles grow fast! In just a few years, your small turtle will become a big turtle. That means you will need to get bigger tanks as your turtle grows.

I always tell people to think about this before getting a Spiny Softshell Turtle. You need to have enough space in your home for a big tank. You also need to have enough money to buy bigger tanks every year or two.

But if you’re ready for all of this, then a Spiny Softshell Turtle can be an amazing pet! They are so fun to watch when they swim. They are also very interesting animals.

How Do I Take Care Of My Spiny Softshell Turtle?

Now let me teach you how to take care of your turtle step by step. I have made a list of all the important things you need to do. If you follow these tips, your turtle will be very happy!

Get A Big Tank (And Keep Getting Bigger Ones!)

Your turtle needs a lot of space to swim. I recommend starting with at least a 30-gallon tank for a baby turtle. But remember what I told you – your turtle will grow!

When your turtle gets bigger, you need to get a bigger tank. A full-grown Spiny Softshell Turtle can be 2 feet long. That’s as long as a ruler and then some more! These big turtles need at least 75 to 100 gallons of water.

I know this sounds like a lot. But your turtle needs room to swim and move around. If the tank is too small, your turtle will be sad and might get sick.

Some people even build outdoor ponds for their big Spiny Softshell Turtles. This can be a great idea if you have a backyard!

Feed Your Turtle The Right Food

Spiny Softshell Turtles love to eat meat! In the wild, they hunt for their food in the water. They eat small fish, worms, insects, and crayfish.

When you feed your pet turtle, you can give it:

Live Food: Your turtle will love chasing crickets, earthworms, and small fish like minnows. This is fun for your turtle because it’s like hunting!

Frozen Food: You can buy frozen fish and shrimp from the pet store. Just thaw it out before you feed it to your turtle.

Turtle Pellets: There are special food pellets made just for turtles. Look for ones that are high in protein because your turtle is a carnivore.

I feed my turtle every day when it’s young. Baby turtles are growing fast and need lots of food! But when your turtle gets older, you can feed it every other day.

Don’t give your turtle too much food. If there’s food left in the tank after 15 minutes, you gave it too much. Take out the extra food so it doesn’t make the water dirty.

Give Your Turtle Sunlight And Special Lights

This is very important! Your turtle needs light to be healthy. In the wild, turtles come out of the water to lie in the sun. This is called basking.

Your turtle needs two kinds of light:

UVB Light: This is a special light that helps your turtle make Vitamin D. Without this light, your turtle can get very sick. Its shell might get soft and its bones might get weak.

Heat Light: This light keeps your turtle warm when it comes out of the water. The basking spot should be about 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

I keep the lights on for 10 to 12 hours every day. At night, I turn them off so my turtle can sleep.

If you can, put your turtle’s tank near a window. Real sunlight is the best! But even with a window, you still need the UVB light.

Keep The Water Very Clean

Turtles make a lot of mess in their water. They poop in the water and their food makes the water dirty too. Dirty water can make your turtle very sick!

Here’s what I do to keep the water clean:

Use A Strong Filter: Get a filter that’s made for a tank bigger than yours. If you have a 50-gallon tank, use a filter for a 75-gallon tank. This is because turtles make more mess than fish.

Change Some Water Every Week: Once a week, I take out about 25% of the water and add fresh water. Make sure the new water is the same temperature as the old water!

Do A Big Clean Every Month: Once a month, I clean the whole tank. I take out all the water, clean the decorations, and scrub the sides of the tank.

Always wash your hands after touching your turtle or cleaning the tank. Turtles can carry germs that make people sick, like salmonella.

Make A Ramp For Your Turtle

Your turtle lives in water, but it also needs to come out of the water sometimes. I put a ramp or a floating platform in the tank so my turtle can climb out.

The ramp should be easy for your turtle to climb. It shouldn’t be too steep or too slippery. You can buy turtle ramps at the pet store, or you can make one yourself.

At the top of the ramp, there should be a dry area where your turtle can bask. This basking spot needs to be completely dry. If it’s wet, your turtle won’t want to use it.

Give Your Turtle Hiding Spots

Spiny Softshell Turtles are very shy. They get scared easily and like to hide. If your turtle doesn’t have places to hide, it will feel stressed all the time.

I put lots of hiding spots in my turtle’s tank:

Rocks and Caves: Big rocks and caves give your turtle a safe place to hide.

Plants: You can use fake plants or real plants. Your turtle will hide behind them and under them.

Logs: A piece of driftwood looks nice and gives your turtle another hiding spot.

Make sure all the decorations are safe. They shouldn’t have sharp edges that could hurt your turtle’s soft shell.

The Sand On The Bottom Of The Tank

Spiny Softshell Turtles love to bury themselves in sand! In the wild, they dig into the sandy bottom of rivers and lakes.

I put a layer of sand at the bottom of the tank. The sand should be at least 2 to 3 inches deep. Use special aquarium sand, not sand from the beach or a playground.

Your turtle will use its legs to dig into the sand. Sometimes you’ll only see its nose sticking out! This is normal and it means your turtle feels safe.

Clean the sand when you clean the tank. Use a gravel vacuum to suck up the dirt and poop from the sand.

Keep Only One Turtle (Or Be Very Careful)

Here’s something important I learned. Spiny Softshell Turtles don’t like to live with other turtles very much. They like to be alone.

If you put two turtles together, they might fight. They might bite each other or compete for food. This can hurt them or make them very stressed.

I always tell people to keep just one Spiny Softshell Turtle in a tank. If you really want two turtles, you need a very big tank and you need to watch them carefully to make sure they get along.

Never put your Spiny Softshell Turtle with other types of turtles or with fish. Your turtle might try to eat the fish!

Keep The Water Warm

The water in your turtle’s tank should be warm. Turtles are cold-blooded, which means they can’t make their own body heat. They need warm water to be healthy and active.

I keep the water temperature between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. You need an aquarium heater to keep the water this warm.

Put a thermometer in the water so you can check the temperature every day. If the water gets too cold, turn up the heater. If it gets too hot, turn it down.

Can You Keep A Spiny Softshell Turtle As A Pet?

Yes, you can! Spiny Softshell Turtles can make wonderful pets. But I want to make sure you know what you’re getting into.

These turtles are not good pets for little kids. Little kids might want to hold the turtle too much or might not be gentle enough. Spiny Softshell Turtles have soft shells that can get hurt easily.

These turtles are also not good for beginners who have never had a pet turtle before. They need special care and a big tank. If you’re new to turtles, you might want to start with an easier type of turtle first.

But if you’re ready for the challenge, Spiny Softshell Turtles are amazing! They are so interesting to watch. They swim very fast and they’re very smart. Some people say they have more personality than other turtles.

I love watching my turtle swim around and dig in the sand. It makes me happy to take care of it and see it grow.

What Your Spiny Softshell Needs In Its Tank

Let me give you a checklist of everything your turtle needs. This way, you can make sure you have everything before you bring your turtle home.

Tank Size

Start with at least a 30-gallon tank for a baby turtle. Plan to upgrade to a 75-gallon tank or bigger as your turtle grows.

Water

Fill the tank with enough water for your turtle to swim comfortably. The water should be deep enough that your turtle can dive and flip over if it needs to.

Filter

Get a strong filter that can handle the mess that turtles make. Change the filter cartridges as recommended by the manufacturer.

Heater

You need an aquarium heater to keep the water between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Lights

You need a UVB light and a basking light. Keep them on for 10 to 12 hours each day.

Basking Area

Your turtle needs a dry spot where it can climb out of the water and bask under the lights.

Sand Substrate

Put 2 to 3 inches of aquarium sand at the bottom of the tank.

Hiding Spots

Add rocks, caves, plants, and logs so your turtle has places to hide.

Thermometer

Use a thermometer to check the water temperature every day.

Water Test Kit

Get a kit to test the water quality. You want to make sure the ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels are safe.

Common Questions About Spiny Softshell Turtles

Let me answer some questions that people ask me all the time.

Are Spiny Softshell Turtles Good Pets?

It depends on what you want in a pet! If you want a pet that you can hold and play with, this might not be the right turtle for you. Spiny Softshell Turtles are shy and don’t like to be handled too much.

But if you want a pet that’s interesting to watch and take care of, then yes! These turtles are great. I love watching mine swim and hunt for food.

Just remember that they need a big tank and special care. They’re not good for beginners.

What Do Spiny Softshell Turtles Eat?

These turtles are carnivores, which means they only eat meat. In the wild, they eat:

Fish, crayfish, worms, snails and other water snails, insects, small frogs, and other small animals they can catch.

When you keep them as pets, you can feed them crickets, earthworms, minnows and other small fish, shrimp, turtle pellets that are high in protein, and frozen or freeze-dried turtle food.

I like to give my turtle a variety of foods. This keeps it healthy and makes feeding time more interesting!

How Much Water Does A Softshell Turtle Need?

A baby Spiny Softshell Turtle needs at least 20 to 30 gallons of water. But as your turtle grows, it needs more and more water.

An adult Spiny Softshell Turtle should have at least 75 to 100 gallons of water. Some people give their turtles even more water than this.

The water should be deep enough that your turtle can swim and dive. These turtles are great swimmers and they need deep water to be happy.

If the tank is too small or the water is too shallow, your turtle will be stressed. Stressed turtles can get sick more easily.

Do Spiny Softshell Turtles Bite?

Yes, they can bite! All turtles can bite if they want to. Spiny Softshell Turtles have strong jaws and they can bite hard.

But don’t worry too much! These turtles are usually very shy. They only bite if they’re scared or if they think your finger is food.

I handle my turtle very carefully. I never put my fingers near its mouth. If I need to move my turtle, I hold it gently by the sides of its shell.

If you respect your turtle and don’t scare it, it probably won’t bite you. Just be careful and always gentle.

How Long Do Spiny Softshell Turtles Live?

These turtles can live for more than 20 years! Some people say they can live even longer than that.

This means that when you get a Spiny Softshell Turtle, you’re making a long-term commitment. Your turtle will be with you for a very long time!

I think it’s wonderful that they live so long. You can watch your turtle grow and change over many years. But you need to be ready to take care of it for its whole life.

Can Spiny Softshell Turtles Live With Other Turtles?

I don’t recommend it. Spiny Softshell Turtles like to be alone. They’re not social animals like some other pets.

If you put two Spiny Softshell Turtles together, they might fight or compete for food. This can stress them out or hurt them.

If you really want more than one turtle, you need a very big tank. And you need to watch them carefully to make sure they’re getting along okay.

It’s much easier and safer to just keep one turtle by itself.

How Often Should I Clean The Tank?

I do a partial water change once a week. I take out about 25% of the water and add fresh water.

Once a month, I do a complete cleaning. I take out all the water, clean the decorations, scrub the tank, and clean the filter.

Keeping the tank clean is one of the most important things you can do for your turtle. Dirty water makes turtles sick!

What Temperature Should The Water Be?

The water should be between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This is warm but not too hot.

The basking area should be warmer – about 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit.

Use heaters and thermometers to keep the temperature just right. Check the temperature every day to make sure it hasn’t changed.

Can I Take My Turtle Outside?

Yes, you can! If it’s a nice warm day, you can take your turtle outside in a secure container. Make sure the container has both water and a dry area.

Never leave your turtle outside alone. Birds and other animals might try to hurt your turtle. And your turtle might try to escape!

Natural sunlight is great for your turtle. Just don’t keep it in the sun for too long or it might get too hot.

My Final Tips For You

I want to share a few more tips that I’ve learned over the years.

Be Patient: Your turtle might be shy at first. It needs time to get used to its new home and to you. Don’t worry if it hides a lot at first. Give it time!

Watch Your Turtle: Spend time every day watching your turtle. This helps you learn its normal behavior. If something changes, you’ll notice right away and you can get help if needed.

Find A Good Vet: Not all vets know how to treat turtles. Before you get your turtle, find a vet who specializes in reptiles. This is very important!

Keep Learning: I’m always learning new things about turtles. Read books, look at websites, and talk to other turtle owners. The more you know, the better you can care for your turtle.

Trim Their Nails: Sometimes your turtle’s nails will get too long. You can trim them carefully with nail clippers. Be very gentle and only cut the sharp tips. If you’re not sure how to do this, ask your vet to show you.

Don’t Release Your Turtle: Never release your pet turtle into the wild. This is bad for your turtle and bad for wild turtles too. Your pet turtle might not survive in the wild, and it could spread diseases to wild turtles.

My Closing Thoughts

I hope I’ve helped you learn everything you need to know about Spiny Softshell Turtle care! These amazing animals can make wonderful pets if you’re ready to give them the care they need.

Remember the most important things: a big tank with clean water, the right food, special lights, warm water, and a safe place to hide and bask.

Taking care of a Spiny Softshell Turtle takes time and effort. But I promise you, it’s worth it! There’s something special about watching your turtle swim and grow.

If you follow all my tips, your turtle will be happy and healthy. It will live a long life with you. And you’ll have an amazing pet that will teach you so much about nature and responsibility.

Before you get your turtle, make sure you have everything ready. Set up the tank and let it run for a few days before you bring your turtle home. This way, the water will be just right.

And remember, I’m here to help! If you ever have questions, come back and read this guide again. Taking care of turtles is a big responsibility, but it’s also a lot of fun.

I wish you and your new turtle friend all the best! Enjoy your journey together. Have a wonderful day!