122 STORY OF THE REPTILES 



poisonous lizard, the so-called Gila monster (see Fig. 

 58). With these exceptions, the small reptiles are 

 not only innocent but useful, taking all things into 

 consideration. Leeches live on turtles, often suck- 

 ing blood even through the shell. 



Age and Size 



Reptiles, as a rule, are long-lived — especially the 

 larger kiud. These last appear to grow for a long 

 time, but the small ones have a limit soon reached. 

 Doubtless the others have also, late in life. Turtles 

 have been found as long as six feet, and perhaps two 

 hundred years old, even greater age being recorded ; 

 and they are said to be from eleven to thirteen years 

 in maturing. The ordinary box-terrapin has been 

 known to live Hfty years. Alligators and the large 

 snakes doubtless reach great age. Even the common 

 tortoises live through two or three generations of 

 man, since they have been kept that long as pets in 

 family after family. 



