THE REPTILES OF OHIO 131 



In a few favorable localities spotted turtles were found to be very common 

 and as many as 28 were taken in the course of a few hours' search. Such well 

 populated localities included the environs of the former Pymatuning Swamp 

 near Andover, Ashtabula County, certain parts of the Oak Openings in 

 Lucas, Henry and Fulton Counties, the arbor-vitae swamp south of Urbana 

 in Champaign County, and the immediate vicinity of Buckeye Lake in Licking, 

 Fairfield and Perry Counties. In several localities, which looked to one like 

 excellent habitats for spotted turtles, repeated search failed to yield any 

 specimens. 



The seasonal distribution was found to be of more than usual interest. At 

 least one specimen was taken in every month from February to November 

 inclusive, but the great majority was obtained in the spring. Thus, of the 182 

 spotted turtles with collecting dates, 23 or 129r were found in March, 51 or 

 28% in April, and 90 or 49% in May. In no other month were more than 

 3 taken except in June when 6 were obtained. 



Several factors doubtless contribute to this scarcity of specimens in sum- 

 mer. Among these are the lessened activity of the collectors during the 

 warmer months of the year, the greater density of the vegetation, which more 

 effectually conceals the turtles, and the possibility that certain habitats may 

 become dry in midsummer and cause the turtles to aestivate. It also may be 

 possible that they retire to deeper water in hot weather or remain in hiding 

 during the day, or that, as Holbrook (1842, I, 83) says, they wander about 

 on land in search of food. Whatever the factors may be, however, spotted 

 turtles were sought in vain during the summer in localities where they were 

 found abundantly in spring. 



Spotted turtles were found in association with painted, snapping, Bland- 

 ing's, box and musk turtles. They rarely attempted to bite when handled but 

 drew in their heads and legs and hissed. 



Specimens of this species are omnivorous. In the field they were observed 

 to feed upon frogs, earthworms, grubs and the grass growing in a flooded 

 meadow. Captives lived well on a diet of meat, fish and a small amount of 

 lettuce, and in addition they were seen to devour snails, crayfish, carrot tops 

 and spinach. They prefer to eat under water and usually take their food into 

 this element before attempting to tear it into swallowable portions with the 

 feet and jaws. However, at least two individuals were observed to seize meat 

 and swallow it while resting at some distance from water. 



Very little has been recorded on the breeding habits of this turtle. Accord- 

 ing to Babcock (1919, 398) the laying season (in New England) is from the 

 10th to the 25th of June. Eggs of this turtle which he buried in the sand on 

 June 16 hatched eighty- two days later on September 6. Babcock (loc. cit.) 

 writes, 



Two or three (rarely four) white, elliptical eggs (averaging 30 x 1 7 mm.) are 

 deposited, the time of laying being in the late afternoon or evening. Copulation takes 

 place in the water, the male grasping the female so tightly that it is possible to raise 

 them both by lifting the former. 



Two small recently hatched juveniles were collected in the field in Ohio. 



