Turtles
Florida softshell care guide
Apalone ferox
A large, fast, pancake-flat turtle that buries in sand. Bites hard and skin is delicate.
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Florida softshell enclosure size
Aquatic — water volume and floor area first. An adult florida softshell should live in at least 96" L × 36" W × 24" H; we build toward 120" L × 48" W × 24" H (10 × 4 × 2 ft, roughly 40 sq ft of floor and about a 598-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 36" L × 18" W × 12" H recommended · min 36" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 48" L × 24" W × 18" H recommended · min 48" L × 24" W × 18" H
- Adult
- 120" L × 48" W × 24" H recommended · min 96" L × 36" W × 24" H
Temperature and heating
Halogen over the dock; submersible heater with guard.
- Basking / warm surface
- 90–95°F at the basking dock
- Warm side (ambient)
- Water 75–80°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- —
- Night
- Water no lower than 72°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: UVB required (T5 HO 6% or ShadeDweller). Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target Not critical — aquatic. The water provides humidity; keep the basking dock fully dry.
Substrate and depth
Fine, soft sand for burying — no gravel. Depth: 2–4 in.
Water and filtration
- Water depth
- Deep enough to swim, with a shallow sandy area to bury and reach air
- Filtration
- Canister filter rated 2–3x the water volume, plus a 25% water change weekly
- Basking dock
- A dry, easily climbed dock under the heat and UVB lamps
Diet and feeding
Fish, insects, crayfish and turtle pellets.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Clutter — cork, leaf litter, plants — for cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Florida softshell FAQ
How big should an adult Florida softshell enclosure be?
At least 96" L × 36" W × 24" H, and we recommend building to 120" L × 48" W × 24" H — about 10 × 4 × 2 ft, or a 598-gallon glass equivalent. Aquatic — water volume and floor area first.
What temperatures does a Florida softshell need?
Basking or warm surface 90–95°F at the basking dock, warm side Water 75–80°F, cool side —, night Water no lower than 72°F. Halogen over the dock; submersible heater with guard.
Does a Florida softshell need UVB?
UVB required (T5 HO 6% or ShadeDweller). Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Florida softshell need?
Not critical — aquatic. The water provides humidity; keep the basking dock fully dry.
What substrate is best for a Florida softshell?
Fine, soft sand for burying — no gravel, at a depth of 2–4 in.
How big does a Florida softshell enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 36" L × 18" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 36" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own florida softshell record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.