Leopard Softshell Turtles

Hybrid Softshells are a true rarity. Very few breeders have been able to cross Florida and Spiny to produce these offspring that look like a mixture of both species. Their behavior, diet and care is similar to Florida or Spiny Softshells and follows:

Hybrids can be good community turtles. They're excellent swimmers and do well in mostly water tanks, with plants and other under water obstructions. They will lie buried in sand with just their head exposed waiting to surprise prey. They quickly settle in and will swim about their tanks as much as most fish.

Hybrid Softshells quickly learn to come to feeding and will liven up any tank. They are mainly carnivores taking insects, fish, pellets, worms, meat, and crustaceans. Once four to five inches, they should make good pond turtles.

Keeping a Hybrid is not only a conversation piece, but is also a learning experience as the hybridizing is a very new innovation, only occasionally accomplished by just a few breeders.