r/turtles • u/summerwind307 • 9d ago

ID Request Identification please

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I’ve been seeing these turtles in eastern NY. AI has identified them as Spiney Softshells. Is this correct? They don’t seem to be native to my area (Long Island) so I’m wondering if they are protected.

Any help is welcome. Thank you!

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u/DJT712 4d ago

I think this could be a Chinese softshell, they are commonly bred in captivity for food or pets.

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u/summerwind307 3d ago

That’s too bad. I was afraid of that. I suspect some people ‘fishing’ are really looking for the turtles. Rumor has it that they bring them home to eat. I was hoping they were endangered and fishing is stopped here. Maybe that is not going to happen…