Editor’s Note: The Florida Softshell Turtle is part of the CROW CAW (Case A Week) series, which tells the stories of the patients at the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife on Sanibel Island, the dangers they face, and how we can help protect all of our wildlife. Read previous cases here.
CROW is caring for an adult Florida Softshell Turtle (patient #25-2025) found in Estero with a severe shell injury. The turtle’s shell was split along the right side, exposing the coelomic membrane—a vital internal layer that surrounds the organs.
Fortunately, the membrane remains intact, and the fracture did not affect the patient’s spine, both of which could have resulted in fatal complications. So, although the fracture is long and deep, this turtle has a better chance at survival than one whose spine or coelomic membrane were damaged.
Once the turtle arrived at CROW, the wound was thoroughly flushed and dressed. While the patient was under anesthesia, veterinarians used epoxy to adhere 14 hooks to its shell connected by strong wires. These use tension to pull the fractured shell pieces together, similar to braces for teeth. With time, the bony layer of the shell will fuse back together, followed by the outer carapace. This process can take weeks to months depending on the severity of the injury, so the turtle will stay in CROW’s care until the wound has hardened over.
As the name suggests, Florida Softshells have a very unique shell which can make it tricky to apply adhesives like epoxy. They lack the hard, scale-like “scutes” of other turtle species, and instead have a smooth, leathery layer of skin over the bony shell comparable to a Leatherback Sea Turtle. This adaptation makes them a sleek and streamlined aquatic predator — and it also means that the epoxy-adhered braces did not stay on long! CROW’s veterinarians opted to drill small studs into the shell as anchor points for the wires.
If you encounter a Florida Softshell, especially if you want to assist one crossing a road, be wary of their strong bite. Like Snapping Turtles, this species can extend their neck nearly half the length of their shell, reaching behind or under themselves when threatened. If necessary, hold the turtle at the very back of its shell and place it in the direction it was heading.
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