The Terrapins 



THE OCCELLATED TERRAPIN 



Malacodemmys oculifera, (Baur) 



Owing to the striking markings of the carapace, this species 

 should be readily indentified. The conformation of the shell 

 appeals to Lesueur's Terrapin, but the tubercles on the back are 

 yet more highly developed. 



Colouration. Upper shell olive. Each of the shields con- 

 tains a yellow ring, which is bordered on ihe inside and outside 

 with dark olive-brown. The plastron is yellow with darker 

 markings in the central portion. 



There is a yellow spot behind the eye and two yellow stripes 

 from the eye backward. Beneath, there is a yellow band cover- 

 ing the whole lower jaw. 



Distribution. The species has been taken at Mandersville, 

 Louisiana, and at Pensacola, Florida. 



THE DIAMOND-BACK TERRAPIN 



Malacodemmys palustris, (Gmel.) 



The species differs from all the others of its genus in the 

 rough character of the carapace. Each of the shields contains 

 a number of concentric grooves, rising in step-like fashion. It 

 is owing to the angular, and concentric areas embraced by the 

 shields that the popular name "diamond-back" has originated. 

 A well-defined keel is represented by a blunt ridge, rising within 

 each of the central shields; the highest of these ridges is in the 

 central or middle shield of the back. Examined from the side, 

 the keel appears as a series of serrations. 



Colouration. The carapace is grayish or olive, sometimes 

 with darker concentric markings which appeal to the arrange- 

 ment of the grooves. The lower border of the carapace is olive, 

 each plate embracing hollow black squares or blotches. The 

 plastron is deep yellow, with numerous black dots in rows and 

 dusky bands extending crosswise. 



With very young specimens the upper shell is almost white, 

 with black, concentric markings. 



The head markings of the adult are strong and constant. 

 There are no stripes. The head, neck and all the exposed, 

 fleshy parts are slaty gray, profusely covered with rounded, 

 black dots. 



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