Eastern Spiny Softshell
Scientific Name:
The scientific name for the Eastern Spiny Softshell is Apalone spinifera spinifera
Where they're located in New Jersey:
Eastern Spiny Softshells can only be found in the Maurice River system, Cumberland County and the Raritan River Watershed
Placement on Endangerment Scale:
Endangered (EN)
Physical characteristics:
Eastern Spiny Softshells are almost perfectly round with a flattened leathery shell that lacks scutes, but has small spiny protrusions on the shell. They also posses a tube-like snout. Eastern Spiny Softshells can grow to be 5-18 inches in length.
Preferred habitat:
Rivers and rarely lakes