soft-shelled turtle

/sɔft ʃɛld ˌtʌrdl/

Definitions of soft-shelled turtle

1. noun

   voracious aquatic turtle with a flat flexible shell covered by a leathery skin; can inflict painful bites
   synonyms: pancake turtle

   types:

   Trionyx spiniferus, spiny softshell

   river turtle of western United States with a warty shell; prefers quiet water

   Trionyx muticus, smooth softshell

   river turtle of Mississippi basin; prefers running water

   type of:

   turtle

   any of various aquatic and land reptiles having a bony shell and flipper-like limbs for swimming