Happy Monday! If you missed our Rundown of Upcoming December Events or the Sneak Peek of This Week’s Chef Features, make sure to check out our last couple of posts. 

A lot happens here at Bishops Bay during the warmer months, which means we’re not always able to share all of the fun and interesting things that go on around the Club.

One of those things happened back in early July: a morning rescue of a few softshell turtle eggs by Juuli and Jarrin. As they were getting the Club ready for opening that morning, they noticed a softshell turtle on the bank of the lake next to our dock, scrambling back into the water. When they went to investigate, they noticed that the turtle had laid several eggs. 

Juuli shared that a turtle she suspects to be this same one has laid eggs in this location before, but unfortunately predators got to them before they had a chance to hatch. On this occasion, Juuli and Jarrin collected the eggs to take to a wildlife refuge in hopes that they could be incubated and eventually hatched. 

Continue reading for some highlights from this rescue effort, and a deep-dive into softshell turtles in Wisconsin.

In Wisconsin, there are two main types of softshell turtles: the Spiny Softshell Turtle (Apalone spinifera) and the Smooth Softshell Turtle (Apalone mutica). These turtles are known for their unique, leathery shells, which are soft and flexible compared to the hard shells of most turtles.

Spiny Softshell Turtle

The Spiny Softshell Turtle is more common in Wisconsin and can be identified by its rough, sandpapery shell with small spiny projections near the front edge. They are typically olive to brown in color, with dark spots or blotches on their shell. These turtles inhabit rivers, lakes, and streams with sandy or muddy bottoms. They are highly aquatic and prefer fast-moving water but will bask on logs or riverbanks.

Smooth Softshell Turtle

The Smooth Softshell Turtle is less common in Wisconsin and is listed as a species of special concern due to habitat loss and other threats. Its shell is smoother and lacks the spiny projections found on the Spiny Softshell. The shell is a uniform olive or tan color with few markings. Smooth Softshell Turtles prefer large rivers with sandy or silty substrates and are more sensitive to environmental changes than their spiny counterparts.

Both types of softshell turtles are fast swimmers and primarily carnivorous, feeding on insects, fish, and other aquatic organisms. They are fascinating creatures that play a vital role in Wisconsin’s freshwater ecosystems.