Kyphosis and other Variations in Soft-shelled Turtles

A fascinating glimpse into an unusual anatomical oddity, this study explores the hump‑backed, or kyphotic, condition found in soft‑shelled turtles. While such deformities have long been noted in Asian species, the author turns the spotlight on North American specimens, documenting three museum skeletons that belong to Amyda emoryi, A. mutica and A. spinifera. Detailed field notes trace each turtle’s origin—from the deserts of Arizona to the rivers of Kansas—providing a geographic context for the rarity of the anomaly.

Through meticulous measurements of shell height, length and width, the paper compares the abnormal turtles with dozens of normal individuals, revealing striking differences in proportion but no clear link to size or sex. The author also reviews historical records and discusses possible growth patterns that might produce the pronounced humps, while acknowledging that the underlying cause remains a mystery. This concise yet thorough examination offers both naturalists and curious listeners a clear window into a little‑known facet of turtle biology.