Chinese softshell turtle
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| phylum | Chordata | The Chinese softshell turtle can reach a carapace length of 1 ft (0.30 m). It has webbed feet for swimming. They are called "softshell" because their carapace lacks horny scutes (scales). The carapace is leathery and pliable, particularly at the sides. The central part of the carapace has a layer of solid bone beneath it, as in other turtles, but this is absent at the outer edges. The light and flexible shell of these turtles allows them to move more easily in open water, or in muddy lake bottoms.
For more information, visit the Wikipedia entry. Get back to Softshelled turtles |
| clade | Anapsida | |
| order | Testudines | |
| family | Trionychidae | |
| genus | Pelodiscus | |
| species | P. sinensis |
