Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle

Names and classification

Scientific name

Palea steindachneri

Common names

Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle

Family

Trionychidae

Kauaʻi occurrence and status

Kauaʻi occurrence

Present

Origin

Introduced

Conservation status

Not assessed

Evidence limits

Occurrence is supported; local abundance and impact estimates remain less certain than presence.

Habitat and ecology

Habitats

Freshwater streams, ponds, reservoirs, marshes, canals, drainage ditches, and slow-water habitats.

Food and resource needs

Carnivorous/omnivorous aquatic feeding; fishes, invertebrates and other aquatic prey.

Reproduction

Terrestrial nesting substrate above waterline and suitable incubation conditions.

Shelter

Soft substrate and bank/cover structure in slow freshwater habitats.

Threats and conservation

Threats

Predation and competition in freshwater food webs; population distribution and impact magnitude on Kauaʻi need better survey data.

Conservation actions

Early detection, containment/control where feasible, prevent intentional release or transport, protect high-value native habitats, and monitor ecological effects.

Monitoring

Repeat island occurrence surveys, population trend monitoring, and impact studies using standardized methods.

Data gaps

Current population distribution, abundance, and Kauaʻi-specific ecological effect sizes remain incompletely quantified.

Process and seasonal context

Seasonal timing

Year-round

Seasonal description

Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle (Palea steindachneri) is a documented established nonnative species on Kauaʻi.

Sources and further reading

• USGS NAS — Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle species profile