24. REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



dollars — sometimes more; terrapins of this size weigh 

 barely three pounds each. If a specimen has a shell five 

 inches long, or under, it is of little market value and 

 may be bought for about $1.50; however, for every half 

 inch above the five-inch limit, the price is laid on with 

 an energy that staggers any but the connoisseur. 



If kept in a tank of fresh water, the Diamond-Back 

 Terrapin does not thrive, as its fleshy parts are soon 

 attacked by a fungus, which soon kills the reptile. The 

 infection may be killed by placing the terrapin in a bath 

 of strong salt-water and keeping it there for forty-eight 

 hours. Yet it seems to be more susceptible to the growth 

 when placed back in the fresh-water, than before ; a con- 

 dition probably owing to the weakened and softened skin. 

 Captive individuals will thrive if enough salt is stirred into 

 the water of the tank to give it a slightly brackish taste ; 

 the food should be chopped clams and oysters, shrimps, 

 small crabs and fish ; most captives are fond of the small 

 "periwinkle" snails that abound on the mud flats. The 

 food is always eaten under the water. 



From the Diamond-Back Terrapin the other species 

 of Malacoclemmys appear quite different, owing to their 

 comparatively smooth shells. 



Following is a tabulated list of the remaining species 

 of the genus : — 



A. Keel on the carapace moderately developed. 



Upper shell olive, with a net-work of fine yellow lines. 



Geographic Terrapin, M. geographica. 

 Habitat: Mississippi Valley and western portions of the Atlan- 

 tic States. 



B. Keel rising in the form of tubercles, catising the outline of the back to 



appear strongly serrated. 

 Olive, with large black blotches. A few narrow yellow lines on 

 head; a yellow crescent behind each eye. 



Lesueur's Terrapin, M. lesueurii. 

 Habitat : Valley of the Mississippi. 



