The shell is soft and lacks hexagonal patterns.

Unlike other turtles, the softshell turtle’s carapace has few hard, scaly sections and is characterized by a rubber-like softness. Because of this, softshell turtles are said to move easily in water. Also, while other turtles have hexagonal patterns, softshell turtles have no such markings.

Water quality management is difficult.

Soft-shelled turtles are extremely sensitive to environmental changes such as water quality, water temperature, and vibrations. Even slight deterioration can cause illness or halt their growth. Therefore, maintaining clean water quality and an appropriate water temperature is the most important point in aquaculture.

night

The softshell turtle is a nocturnal animal. During the day, it stays still in the water or buried in mud, and at night it becomes active as it searches for food. This behavior is an important adaptation for protecting itself from natural enemies, and it is thought to be active from dusk through the night to avoid predators.

Very timid, but may bite out of self-defense.

Softshell turtles are often thought to be ferocious based on their appearance and image, but in reality they are very timid. At the slightest noise they quickly flee into the water and reportedly never eat in front of people. However, because they are highly cautious, they can become aggressive when they sense danger and may bite with their sharp teeth. Therefore, care is needed when handling them with bare hands.

Rivers and ponds

The soft-shelled turtle’s habitat extends from Honshu through Shikoku and Kyushu to the Okinawa Islands, and it mainly lives in relatively large ponds and freshwater rivers on flatlands. It is often seen in gentle-flowing waterways. It prefers clean water and is an excellent swimmer.

Stamina enhancement and fatigue recovery

Soft-shelled turtle is rich in high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals, and has long been valued as a food that promotes vitality, boosts stamina, and aids recovery from fatigue. In addition, because it contains a variety of nutrients, it is said to also play a role in immunity and metabolism.

about 100 years

Wild soft-shelled turtles are said to be very long-lived, with lifespans of around 100 years. Because they live so long, they grow slowly, and when raised for food they are reared over many years. In captivity, their lifespan is said to be roughly 20 to 30 years.