An Exciting River Find...
On a September 28th Manitowish River canoe
trip, Discovery Center staff and participants came across an interesting & elusive critter infrequently found in Vilas County. We were putting in at the Hwy 51
bridge-landing area, when Maria saw a small round critter swim over her foot. Upon further inspection, it was identified as
an Eastern spiny softshelled turtle hatchling!
The state DNR set their status in WI as common but
declining, and only existing in a small portion of Vilas. Spiny softshells are found in larger rivers
and lakes that tend to have muddy or sandy bottoms. The young turtles bury themselves in
this substrate to blend in and remain concealed when they are not moving about
the water. They eat many different
things, including fish, invertebrates, mollusks, and carrion.
After showing the young critter to trip participants,
Maria released the turtle back into the river.
About four years ago, another
Discovery Center staff member was canoeing past that same point and came across
an adult spiny softshell laying eggs in the gravel at the landing. What an exciting Northwoods find!
On a September 28th Manitowish River canoe
trip, Discovery Center staff and participants came across an interesting & elusive critter infrequently found in Vilas County. We were putting in at the Hwy 51
bridge-landing area, when Maria saw a small round critter swim over her foot. Upon further inspection, it was identified as
an Eastern spiny softshelled turtle hatchling!
The state DNR set their status in WI as common but
declining, and only existing in a small portion of Vilas. Spiny softshells are found in larger rivers
and lakes that tend to have muddy or sandy bottoms. The young turtles bury themselves in
this substrate to blend in and remain concealed when they are not moving about
the water. They eat many different
things, including fish, invertebrates, mollusks, and carrion.
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