- A small Spiny Soft-shelled turtle is seen disappearing in less than four seconds
- Though turtles are known for being slow, they actually are fairly fast in water
- While most walk at 1.07mph, some have been recorded swimmming at 22mph
Video shows a fast little turtle breaking the slow-moving stereotype as it speeds away through water.
The entire video is seven seconds long, but it takes this Spiny Soft-shelled turtle less than four to disappear.
The video starts with the turtle in someone’s hand. The hand then lowers the shelled reptile into the water and it’s gone in the blink of an eye.
If there’s a record for fastest-moving turtle, this one may have just broken it.
A Spiny Soft-shelled turtle was seen zipping through water at incredible speed
But this may not be as shocking as you think.
Though turtles rightfully have the reputation of being slow-moving, it’s actually very common for them to be fast in water.
And that is especially true for the Spiny Soft-shelled turtle, who is one of the largest freshwater turtle species in North America.
This species has an unusually flat, round, leathery shell that’s also light and makes it easier to swim. They also have streamlined bodies and webbed feet to move them along in the water.
So while most turtles walk at 1.07mph, some have been recorded swimming as fast as 22mph.
But it’s actually common for turtles to swim fast, though they walk very slowly
Can you spot the turtle? It disappeared in less than four seconds from the time it hit the water
This turtle is a Spiny Soft-shelled. They have three claws and webbed feet making it easier to push water
The Spiny Soft-Shelled is one of the most common fresh water turtle species in North America