Apalone spinifera aspera

Gulf Coast Spiny Softshell

Florida distribution: found in a few counties in the panhandle and north of Florida; Escambia, Okaloosa, Jackson, Calhoun, Gadsen, Baker, Nassau.

Identification: up to 45 cm. Pointed spines on front edge of carapace, while the Smooth Softshell is smooth and the Florida Softshell has rounded bumps. Has stripes on legs unlike other two species in Florida. The two head stripes usually converge which is a characteristic not found in the Eastern Softshell.