Specimens examined.—Total, 38 as follows: Florida: Escambia: KU 47116, 50852, 50854-55, 50835-36, TU 13473, 16682, 17301, 17302 (2), Escambia River, 2 mi. E, 1 mi. N Century.
Louisiana: East Baton Rouge: TU 17236, Amite River, "near" Baton Rouge. Washington: TU 13795, Bogue Chitto River, Enon; TU 17303 (5), TU 17304 (4), Pearl River, "near" Varnado. No data: TU 17305.
Mississippi: Lawrence: KU 47117-19, TU 16956, USNM 7655, Pearl River within 4 mi. of Monticello; TU 17306 (4), Pearl River, 9 mi. S Monticello. Marion: USNM 95133-34, Pearl River, Columbia. Perry: MSC uncatalogued (3), 3 mi. SE New Augusta. Rankin: UI 31071, Pearl River, Roses Bluff, 14 mi. NE Jackson.
Records in the literature.—Mississippi: Forrest: no data. Jones: Crawford Bridge. Lowndes: Columbus, Lake Park (Cook, 1946:185).
Habitat
Most writers who describe the general habitat of soft-shelled turtles mention large rivers and streams having some current, and large permanent, quiet bodies of water having soft mud or sand bottoms, but note the general avoidance of temporary water. The impermanence of water in the ponds and "charcos" of headwaters of streams may preclude the presence of softshells from these otherwise suitable habitats. Seemingly, soft-shelled turtles are not restricted to particular local situations or microhabitats in a continuous aquatic environment as are some kinds of fish, which seem to be more or less confined to riffle areas or deep holes. Certain activities of softshells such as burying themselves in soft sand in shallow water or seeking crawfish and other food over a gravel-rock substrate or one that is débris-laden, are best carried on in different habitats. Repeated observations of turtles that are probably engaged in a specific activity in a restricted area may lead to erroneous general conclusions regarding the over-all preference for a specific habitat. Perhaps this accounts for Conant's statement (1951:156) that "In the lower portion of the Scioto River [Ohio] it appears that the present species [muticus] is abundant while spinifer is almost entirely absent."
Cagle (1954:181) wrote that softshells "inhabit the extreme headwaters and smaller tributaries." Other statements in the literature indicate the variety in kinds of habitat. In Louisiana, Beyer (1900:44) mentioned spinifer as abundant "in all inland waters, preferring, however, such bayous which have sloping and sandy banks upon which they are fond of sunning themselves." Viosca (1923:41) reported soft-shelled turtles as characteristic "of the large silt-bearing rivers … such as the Pearl, Amite, Mississippi and Atchafalaya." Cagle and Chaney (1950:386) wrote that spinifer in Louisiana was found in greatest abundance in streams having some current, but that individuals were also common in quiet areas; the habitats recorded were: False River—a lake of clear water supporting an abundance of submerged vegetation, the shallow ends having mats of water hyacinth; Lakes Iatt and Bistineau—cypress swamps having clear or muddy water; Caddo Lake—a large lake having a light oil film on the surface of the water, and vegetation toward the shore consisting of cattails, water lilies and water hyacinths, and along the bank of cypress and willow trees; Caddo Lake Spillway—muddy with swift current; Sabine River—swift current, traps set in quieter backwater areas or near cypress logs in river; Lacassine Refuge—traps set in inlets and coves of ship channel having vegetation of water hyacinth, alligator grass, and along bank, saw grass, cypress knees and snags. Stejneger (1944:59) reported spinifer taken in barrow pits in Mississippi.