Softshell turtle rescue

[coura]

or this

 

[krichardson]

That why I said that you sould inform your local autoritys. They are not a protected species but well being and no cruelty rules still apply. Buy the way lets properly indentify them.

I intend to contact the authorities but I can imagine a scenario where fines would be levied and paid and the practice will continue,or the practice may be stopped and they may then go after native turtles.The turtles look very much like the one in the first photo.

 

[coura]

I intend to contact the authorities but I can imagine a scenario where fines would be levied and paid and the practice will continue,or the practice may be stopped and they may then go after native turtles.The turtles look very much like the one in the first photo.

yea chinese softys. but you must do something about them

 

[krichardson]

Thanks Coura for the ID.

 

[coura]

Thanks Coura for the ID.

No prob

 

[MicropterusSalmoides]

There is a supermarket nearby that sells asian foods that has a big box full softshell turtles at eight dollars each.I dont know what exact species they are but they are not very big and are a dark grey almost black color,they are located in the section where the frozen fish are and that seems to defeat the purpose of selling them alive.If anyone within range is into softshells these guys sure could use a lifeline.I would buy them if I could identify them and properly release them.

if you want to ship me one i promise not to make a snack out of it!

 

[Red tail catking]

There is a supermarket nearby that sells asian foods that has a big box full softshell turtles at eight dollars each.I dont know what exact species they are but they are not very big and are a dark grey almost black color,they are located in the section where the frozen fish are and that seems to defeat the purpose of selling them alive.If anyone within range is into softshells these guys sure could use a lifeline.I would buy them if I could identify them and properly release them.

Sounds like they are Asian soft-shell turtle. I'm going off the top of my head, but arn't thay illeagal?

 

[AttackFish]

I wish I had room for a 6' turtle...
We're talking about Pelochelys cantorii, correct?

 

[Red tail catking]

I wish I had room for a 6' turtle...
We're talking about Pelochelys cantorii, correct?

Coura said its an Asian softy, but I'm not completly sure.
What your thinking of is the Cantor's giant soft-shelled turtle, but I don't think thats the species were talking about.

Though it also sound like Florida softy as well, based on what he said, dark grey almost black color, does it look like this? http://www.outdooralabama.com/watchable-wildlife/what/Reptiles/Turtles/fs.cfm

 

[coura]

Ok first of they are very likely chinese soft shell turtles Pelodiscus sp (I say sp because untill very recently there was only one species in the genus P. sinensis but new bigger and smaller species have been recently indentified and since chinis dont keep track of where the turts in aquaculture come from they likely are a mix of species and even hibrids wich would explain the diversity of colors we se on this guys). As far as I know they are not ilegal (but of corse there could some local regulacions that restrain or even forbit the ownership of them but I dont know). Also as you gessed they can also be one of the cheap US species like spineys or floridas that today are estensively bred for export and human consuption( gess where) hard to know whitout picks. It is almost impossible that the are one of giant Pelochelys sp As far I know there is no breeding facilitys for this species that breeds them for human consuption and even if some captive bred giant softys do show up from time to time (you must get one of these Miguel),the price they comand would make eating one pure insanity. Thus its very unlikely. But even then I hope somebody can help thouse poor critters