Description
Florida Softshell Turtle (Apalone ferox)
The Florida Softshell Turtle is a unique and fascinating aquatic reptile, instantly recognised by its flat, pancake-like shell, long snorkel-like nose, and fast swimming ability. Native to the southeastern United States, this active and highly aquatic species is best suited to experienced keepers who can provide the large, clean aquatic environment it requires.
Habitat
Florida Softshell Turtles thrive in spacious aquatic setups with plenty of swimming room and soft areas for resting and burrowing.
- Enclosure: Large aquarium, indoor pond, or outdoor pond setup for adults
- Water Temperature: 24–28°C
- Basking: Access to a dry basking area is important, though they bask less frequently than many other turtles
- Lighting: UVB lighting required for indoor enclosures
- Humidity: Maintained naturally through the aquatic environment
- Decor: Open swimming space, sandy resting areas, smooth décor, and secure basking platforms
Feeding
These turtles are mainly carnivorous and are fast, enthusiastic feeders.
- Diet: Turtle pellets, fish, insects, worms, shrimp, snails, crustaceans, and occasional aquatic vegetation
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Feeding frequency:
- Juveniles: Daily
- Adults: 3–4 times per week
- Clean water is essential due to heavy feeding and waste production
General Care
Florida Softshell Turtles are active, fast-growing, and require confident keepers with suitable space and strong filtration systems.
- Temperament: Fast, alert, and can be defensive if stressed
- Handling: Minimal—can scratch and bite when handled
- Lifespan: 20–30+ years with proper care
- Maintenance: Powerful filtration, regular water changes, and careful monitoring of shell and skin health are essential
Why Choose a Florida Softshell Turtle?
- Unique soft shell and snorkel-like appearance
- Fast swimmer with active and engaging behaviour
- Impressive display species for large aquatic setups
- Ideal for experienced aquatic reptile keepers
A truly unusual turtle, the Florida Softshell Turtle is perfect for those looking for an active, eye-catching, and highly distinctive aquatic reptile.
Click & Collect
Livestock will only be bagged once you arrive, or if you contact us in advance to request it ready beforehand.
Local Delivery
Order anything from our in-store range and have it delivered right to you.
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Minimum spend: £50
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Delivery from £15 - £30
- Range 0-25 miles from store
Distances are measured “as the crow flies”, not by road.
Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to arrange a suitable delivery date and time.
Please note, delivery may take a little longer as we often group orders together to build an efficient delivery run.
Important: If you’re ordering a large aquarium, please ensure someone is available to help unload the van on arrival.
Dry Goods Delivery
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DX Express: 1 working day, same-day dispatch before noon 0-75kg
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Express Pallet: 1–3 working days 75-500kg
If you'd like to add more items to an existing order that hasn't yet been dispatched, please place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to combine the orders.
Please note: We currently only dispatch parcels Wednesday to Friday.
Pre-Order
Want the full details? Check out our Terms & Conditions.
Livestock Delivery
Thursday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Wednesday afternoon
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Delivered Thursday before 1pm
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Order by Wednesday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Friday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Thursday afternoon
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Delivered Friday before 1pm
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Order by Thursday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Saturday Delivery – £29
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Dispatched Friday afternoon
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Delivered Saturday before 1pm
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Order by Friday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
📦 Want to Add to an Existing Order?
No problem! Just place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to link it with your original one (as long as it hasn’t been dispatched yet).
🛒 Dry Goods Now Included!
You can now include dry goods in your livestock delivery – perfect for topping up supplies in one go.
❄️ Please note: We can’t send frozen food with livestock – please order frozen items separately.
⚠️ Delivery Exclusions
Unfortunately, we’re unable to deliver livestock to the following postcodes:
Scotland & Isles:
AB30–AB56, DD8–DD10, DG3–DG9, DG12–DG14, FK17–FK21, KA18–KA19, KA26–KA30, PA20–PA38, PA80, PH3–PH40
Cornwall Isles: TR21–TR25
All of the following postcodes are excluded:
BT, HS, IM, IV, JE, KW
Plus Channel Islands and Shetland Islands
Payment & Security
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