Reptile Study 



211 



LESSON LII 

 THE TURTLE 



Leading thought 

 The turtle's shell is 

 for the purpose of 

 protecting its owner 

 from the attack of 

 enemies. Some tur- 

 tles live upon land 

 and others in water. 



Method A turtle 

 of any kind, in the 

 schoolroom, is all 

 that is needed to 

 make this lesson in- 

 teresting. 



Observati o ns 

 i . How much can you 

 see of the turtle when 

 it is walking? I f 

 you disturb it what 

 does it do? How 

 much of it can you 

 see then? Can you 

 see more of it from the 



A snapping turtle. 

 Photo by J. T. Lloyd. 



lower side than the upper? What is the advantage to the turtle of 

 having such a shell ? 



2. Compare the upper shell with the lower as follows: How are 

 they shaped differently? What is their difference in color? Would it 

 be a disadvantage to the turtle if the upper shell were as light colored 

 as the lower? Why? Make a drawing of the upper and the lower shell 

 showing the shape of the plates of which they are composed. Where 

 are the two grown together? 



3. Is the border of the upper shell different from the central portion 

 in color and markings? Is the edge smooth or scalloped? 



4. How far does the turtle's head project from the front of the shell? 

 What is the shape of the head? With what colors and pattern is it 

 marked? Describe the eyes. How are they protected ? How does the 

 turtle wink? Can you discover the little eyelid which comes up from 

 below to cover the eye? 



5. Describe the nose and nostrils. Do you think it has a keen sense 

 of smell? 



6. Describe the mouth. Are there any teeth? With what does it 

 bite off its food? Describe the movement of the throat. Why is this 

 constant pulsation? 



7. What is the shape of the leg? How is it marked? How many 

 claws on the front feet ? Are any of the toes webbed? On which feet are 

 the webbed toes? Why should they be webbed? Describe the way a 

 turtle swims. Which feet are used for oars? 



8. Describe the tail. How much can be seen from above when the 

 turtle is walking? What becomes of it, when the turtle withdraws into 

 its shell? 



