32 



HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



THE SNAPPING TURTLE. 



(Chelydra serpentina.) 



EROM my study window I have an unbroken 

 view of a broad expanse of meadow, dotted 

 here and there by single huge hickories, a willow 

 hedge, and margined beyond by the broad expanse 

 of the Delaware river. Of various levels, some 

 of the lower tracts are always wet, and for many 

 weeks of each year wholly submerged. While I 

 now write (Oct.) such is the case; and the few 

 acres of meadow, now a shallow pond, that glistens 

 and gleams like gold while bathed in the mellow 

 light of the setting sun, attracts by its beauty troops 

 of noisy herons, that eagerly pursue the great bull- 

 frog (Ram pipiens) ; and that, too, has a charm for 



interesting history, being much more active and 

 intelligent (?) than the four species found associated 

 with it here in New Jersey.* For an idea of its 

 general appearance, I refer the reader to the illus- 

 tration, calling attention particularly to the neck, 

 which is capable of being extended to a considerable 

 length, and with so sudden a movement, that the 

 animal gives one the idea of a serpent concealed in 

 a shell rather than of a turtle. A specimen kept 

 for several months in an aquarium, I noticed always 

 withdrew its head when it noticed a fish approach- 

 ing, and at the same time slowly elevated its whole 

 body by its fore feet; then, if the fish came near 

 enough, the neck was suddenly (literally, as quick 

 as lightning) lengthened, and the object seized. 

 Once the powerful jaws are closed upon the victim, 

 nothing can force the turtle to relax his hold. 



Fig 12. Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina). 



timid wood-ducks (Aix sponsa) that cut the still 

 waters as they speed along and vie with the sunset 

 in their brilliancy of colour. All that is now in view 

 seems full of active life, and brilliant with a wasteful 

 wealth of colour. What of beneath the waters ? 



As I watch the surface of the pond, I see ever 

 and anon a small black dot, as it were, upon the 

 surface, moving quite irregularly about. Forward, 

 sidewise, backward, and then disappearing, only to 

 reappear, and again as restlessly to move about. 

 Small as the dot is, as seen from my window, it is 

 given a wide berth in its peregrinations; for the 

 ducks swim rapidly off if it approaches them, and it 

 is no tempting morsel to the herons, for they pass 

 it by however near it may come. This black dot is, 

 in reality, the pointed snout of the " snapper " — our 

 fiercest and largest turtle — the Chelydra serpentina 

 of naturalists. 



Zoologically considered, this turtle has a most 



Even decapitation will not avail for some time. 

 Absurd as it may seem, it nevertheless is true that 

 the head of this turtle, after decapitation, will retain 

 sufficient vitality (?) to maintain a firm hold upon 

 the object seized for several hours. And judging 

 from the eyes, which remain open and bright, this 

 severed head is conscious up to the last. My own 



* In central New Jersey, there are four species of water 

 turtles, two of which are exceedingly abundant; and all four, 

 far more than the snapper, love to bask in the sun, during 

 summer and early autumn. These four species are the 

 " Stinking Turtle " (Ozotheca odorata) ; the Painted Turtle 

 (Chrysemys picta) ; the Spotted Turtle (Nanemys guttata), and 

 the Red-bellied Turtle [Calemys Muhlenbergii). The first and 

 third mentioned are the most numerous, inhabiting every 

 pond that contains fish, their principal food. The Painted 

 Turtle and " Red-belly " are now less common than formerly, 

 both being sought alter by restaurant keepers, who palm 

 them off on their customers as "Terrapin " (Malacoclemys 

 palustru), but no cookery, however skilful, can deceive those 

 who are accustomed to the " genuine article. " 



