The Box Turtles 



THE THREE-TOED BOX TURTLE 



Cistudo triunguis, (Agassiz) 



In the general form of the carapace, this species is pre- 

 cisely like the Common Box Turtle, from which it differs in pos- 

 sessing but three claws on the hind foot, and the extreme nar- 

 rowness of that extremity. 



Colouration. The colouration of the upper shell of the 

 majority of specimens is dull olive, with obscure, yellowish 

 markings. Some specimens are darker and show yellow mark- 

 ings that appeal strongly to C. Carolina. The head is generally 

 brownish, with but obscure markings. 



Distribution. Georgia and Florida westward to the Rio 

 Grande; in the Mississippi Valley this species extends north- 

 ward into Missouri. 



BAUR'S BOX TURTLE; FLORIDA BOX TURTLE 



Cistudo bauri, (Taylor) 



Like the preceding species, this box turtle is characterised 

 by three claws on the hind foot. The shell is very high and 

 narrow considerably more globular than that of the preceding 

 species. There is a distinct keel on the central portion of the 

 carapace, and but a slight tendency to flare upwards on the 

 rear margin. 



Colouration. In its general colouration, this turtle appears 

 to be quite distinct. The carapace is dark brown, with many 

 narrow, greenish, or greenish-yellow radiating lines. With 

 the greater number of specimens the plastron is immaculate, 

 greenish-yellow. 



The head markings are fairly constant and distinct. 

 Male specimens have the head dark brown or black, with 

 the exception of the mandibles, which are yellowish, and 

 an indistinct band, extending from behind the eye to 

 the neck. This pale shade on the mandibles is fre- 

 quently absent from female specimens, although the 

 throat is speckled with a pale hue and several indistinct 

 and broken bands appear on the head. The young are strongly 

 marked, having vivid, sharply delineated, radiating lines. Combine 

 these markings with an extremely high carapace and the 

 make-up is markedly grotesque. 



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