🐢 The Complete Florida Softshell Turtle Care Guide
By Ohio Pet Depot | Updated August 2026
The Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox) is one of the largest and most distinctive freshwater turtles in North America. Unlike hard-shelled turtles, softshells have a leathery, pancake-flat shell and a long, snorkel-like neck that allows them to breathe while buried in sand or mud. They are fast, powerful, and highly aquatic — a fascinating species for experienced keepers who can provide the space and water quality they demand. We carry hatchlings at Ohio Pet Depot:
- Florida Softshell Turtle – Hatchling — $29.99
🐢 Florida Softshell Turtle Fact Sheet
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apalone ferox |
| Origin | Southeastern United States — Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama |
| Adult Size | Females: 18–24+ inches shell length; Males: 8–12 inches — significant sexual dimorphism |
| Lifespan | 20–30+ years in captivity |
| Temperament | Aggressive and defensive — will bite hard and fast; not a handling species |
| Activity Level | Highly active swimmers; spend much of their time buried in substrate or basking |
| Diet | Carnivore — fish, invertebrates, insects, crustaceans; will accept pellets |
| Experience Level | ⚠️ Intermediate to Advanced — large tank, powerful filtration, and careful handling required |
| UVB Required? | ✅ Yes — essential for long-term health |
| Unique Trait | Leathery shell; long tubular snout for snorkeling; can breathe cutaneously (through skin) underwater for extended periods |
🏠 Enclosure & Habitat Setup
Tank Size
| Life Stage | Minimum Tank Size |
|---|---|
| Hatchling (under 4 in) | 40-gallon breeder |
| Juvenile (4–8 in) | 75–100 gallons |
| Sub-Adult / Adult Male | 100–150 gallons |
| Adult Female (18+ in) | 200+ gallons or custom pond setup — females grow very large |
Florida Softshells are highly aquatic and need deep water — at least 1.5–2x the length of the turtle's shell so they can right themselves if flipped. They are powerful swimmers and will pace a tank that is too small. Plan for a large, long-term setup from the start, especially if your hatchling is female.
Substrate — Critical for Softshells
- Fine sand (2–3 inches deep) ⭐ — Essential. Softshell turtles bury themselves in sand to ambush prey, hide, and rest. This is a core behavioral need, not optional. Use pool filter sand or play sand.
- Avoid: gravel, large rocks, or bare-bottom tanks — softshell shells and skin are delicate and abrade easily on rough surfaces
Basking Area
- A shallow, gently sloped ramp or flat rock platform at one end of the tank
- Softshells often bask partially submerged or with just their head out — a shallow basking shelf works well
- Ensure the basking area is stable and cannot tip — softshells are powerful and will dislodge unsecured platforms
Filtration — Heavy-Duty Required
Florida Softshells are messy, high-waste turtles. Filtration must be significantly oversized for the tank volume.
- AQUATOP Classic Aqua Flow Internal Sponge Filter — Good supplemental biological filtration for smaller setups. Available at Ohio Pet Depot — $4.99.
- Canister filter rated for 2–3x your tank volume ⭐ — The gold standard for large turtle tanks. Run the largest canister filter you can afford.
- Perform 25–50% water changes weekly regardless of filtration — softshells are extremely sensitive to poor water quality
🌡️ Temperature, Lighting & Water Parameters
Temperature
| Zone | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Water Temperature | 72–82°F — ideal; use a submersible aquarium heater |
| Basking Spot | 88–95°F (surface temp) |
| Ambient Air | 78–85°F above the water surface |
UVB Lighting — Essential
Like all turtles, Florida Softshells require UVB to synthesize vitamin D3 and metabolize calcium properly. Without adequate UVB, metabolic bone disease (MBD) and shell deformities will develop over time.
- Zoo Med Powersun UV Mercury Vapor Lamp ⭐ — All-in-one UVB + heat basking bulb. Excellent for large turtle enclosures. Available at Ohio Pet Depot — $74.99.
- Zoo Med Repti Tuff Splash-Proof Halogen Lamp — Splash-proof basking bulb; ideal for humid, wet turtle enclosures. Available at Ohio Pet Depot — $14.99.
- Maintain a 12-hour light/dark cycle
- Replace UVB bulbs every 6–12 months
Water Quality
| Parameter | Target |
|---|---|
| Ammonia | 0 ppm |
| Nitrite | 0 ppm |
| Nitrate | Under 20 ppm |
| pH | 6.5–7.5 |
Always treat tap water with Seachem Prime before adding to the tank to neutralize chlorine and chloramines.
🥗 Feeding & Nutrition
Florida Softshells are opportunistic carnivores — in the wild they ambush fish, crayfish, insects, and aquatic invertebrates from beneath the sand. In captivity they readily accept a variety of foods.
Recommended Foods
- Zoo Med Reptisticks Floating Aquatic Turtle Food ⭐ — A nutritionally complete floating pellet; excellent staple. Available at Ohio Pet Depot — $2.99.
- Tetra ReptoMin Select-A-Food — Variety mix of pellets, shrimp, and krill; great for dietary enrichment. Available at Ohio Pet Depot — $9.99.
- Tetra ReptoTreat Gammarus — Freeze-dried river shrimp; excellent high-protein treat. Available at Ohio Pet Depot — $7.99.
- Feeder fish (rosey reds, guppies) — Excellent live prey enrichment; triggers natural hunting behavior
- Earthworms & nightcrawlers — Highly nutritious and eagerly accepted
- Crickets, mealworms, superworms — Good variety feeders for hatchlings and juveniles
- Avoid: Feeder goldfish as a staple (thiaminase content); processed human foods; anything with high oxalate content
Feeding Schedule
| Age | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Hatchling (under 4 in) | Daily — small portions |
| Juvenile (4–8 in) | Every other day |
| Sub-Adult / Adult | Every 2–3 days |
Feeding Tips
- Feed in the water — softshells swallow food by extending their long neck and gulping; they cannot eat on land
- Remove uneaten food promptly to maintain water quality
- Dust feeders with calcium supplement 2–3x per week for hatchlings and juveniles
🤝 Handling
Florida Softshell Turtles are not a handling species. They are fast, aggressive, and will bite hard — their long neck allows them to reach nearly any point on their shell, so there is no truly safe grip. Handle only when absolutely necessary (health checks, tank transfers).
- Always grip firmly at the very back of the shell, behind the rear legs — keep fingers away from the head end
- Use a thick towel or gloves for protection — their bite is powerful and can cause serious injury
- Never pick up by the tail — spinal injury risk
- Minimize handling time and return to water quickly — stress is a significant health risk for softshells
- Wash hands thoroughly before and after any contact
🩺 Health & Wellness
Signs of a Healthy Florida Softshell
- Active swimming and burying behavior
- Feeding regularly and enthusiastically
- Smooth, pliable shell with no soft spots, pitting, or discoloration
- Clear eyes and nostrils
- Alert and responsive — head retracts quickly when approached
- Regular basking behavior
Common Health Issues
| Issue | Signs | Cause |
|---|---|---|
| Shell Rot (Ulcerative Shell Disease) | Soft spots, pitting, foul odor, discoloration on shell | Poor water quality; abrasive substrate; bacterial/fungal infection; injury |
| Respiratory Infection | Wheezing, listing to one side, floating asymmetrically, open-mouth breathing | Water too cold; poor water quality; bacterial infection |
| Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) | Soft or deformed shell; lethargy; weakness | Insufficient UVB; calcium deficiency |
| Skin Abrasions | Raw, red, or damaged skin patches | Rough substrate; tank decor with sharp edges; fighting (if housed with other turtles) |
| Parasites | Weight loss, lethargy, abnormal droppings | Wild-caught feeders; stress; new animals |
⚠️ Florida Softshell Turtles require a reptile-experienced exotic vet familiar with aquatic turtles. Their soft shell makes them more vulnerable to infections than hard-shelled species — find a vet before you need one.
🛒 First-Time Owner Shopping List — Available at Ohio Pet Depot
Your Florida Softshell Turtle:
- Florida Softshell Turtle – Hatchling — $29.99
Lighting & Heating:
- Zoo Med Powersun UV Mercury Vapor Lamp ⭐ — $74.99
- Zoo Med Repti Tuff Splash-Proof Halogen Lamp — $14.99
Filtration:
- AQUATOP Classic Aqua Flow Internal Sponge Filter — $4.99 (supplemental; canister filter strongly recommended)
Food:
- Zoo Med Reptisticks Floating Aquatic Turtle Food ⭐ — $2.99
- Tetra ReptoMin Select-A-Food — $9.99
- Tetra ReptoTreat Gammarus — $7.99
📍 Visit Us In-Store
Open Tue–Sat 12–7 PM | Sun 12–5 PM — Come see our Florida Softshell Turtles in person! Our staff can walk you through tank setup, filtration, and substrate requirements for this unique species. Pick up your turtle food and UVB lighting while you're here.
