- "I caught a soft-shelled turtle! I can really shell it out!" (US)
- "I caught a soft-shelled turtle! Don't suffer shell shock!" (NTSC)
- "I caught a soft-shelled turtle! I really shelled it out!" (PAL)
The Soft-Shelled Turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis, is an uncommon river "fish" that can be caught between 4pm and 9am, between the months of August and September. It can be sold for 3,750 Bells.
It is the only fish or bug with an exclamation that varies by region.
Museum[]
An information board in the aquarium will provide information about this fish.
"These relatives of common turtles will not let go when they decide to bite down on something. Although they can be quite shy, they will become a bit aggressive when threatened. They are often found in water and are very good swimmers because of the flat shape of their shells. They swim with their snouts over the surface of the water so they can breathe. Soft-shelled turtles aren't safe to hold because they are so prone to biting at the slightest movement. However, if one bites down on you, it will usually let go when you put it safely back in the water."
In real life[]
The Chinese Softshell Turtle, also known as the Asiatic Soft-Shelled Turtle, is a web-footed turtle found primarily in China, Taiwan, North Vietnam, Japan, and Russia. They generaly live in brackish water, and are found in rivers, lakes, ponds, canals, and creeks with slow currents, and in Hawaii (where they've been introduced) they can be found in marshes and drainage ditches. They can reach a length of 1 ft in carapace length, and live to be up to 4 to 6 years in age. This turtle is nocturnal, hunting the remains of fish, crustaceans, mollusks, insects, and the seeds of marsh plants once it gets dark out.
The Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtles often submerge their heads in water, because they carry a gene that allows them to secrete urea, which help them survive in brackish water. When resting, they lie at the bottom of the water, buried in sand or mud, lifting their head only to snatch at prey or breathe.
These turtles are a delicacy in many parts of Asia. Turtle soup is made from this species. In Japan, they're stewed with hōtō noodles and served as a winter delicacy. It is considered a taboo in Korea to eat turtles.
Gallery[]
