I saw this Florida Softshell in Sumter, SC, which is outside the turtle’s range shown on the herpetology websites I researched.

I’d previously seen them swimming in Florida and few places in South Carolina but never laying out on land. This one dunked her head in and out of the water a few times.

These turtles have an odd “pig” looking face, not so easily seen here from my angle.

One more test of the water and he slid right into the pond.

This is probably a female:
Males measuring from 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) and females measuring double that at 11-24 inches (28-61 cm).
And this unexpected fact:
Habits: The diet of the Florida softshell turtle usually consists of snails and fish but these creatures have been known to eat waterfowl such as ducks and even small herons.
University of Georgia’s
Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
https://srelherp.uga.edu/turtles/apafer.htm
What a nice find, Ellen.
Thanks!
Wonderful!!