THE REPTILES OF OHIO '49 



they were collected in such habitats as wet meadows, woodland pools, bogs, 

 marshes, brooks, ditches, ponds, lakes, etc. They showed a distinct partiaHty 

 for quiet, shallow water and rarely were found in rapidly moving streams or in 

 the deeper parts of the larger lakes and rivers. They frequently remained 

 close to masses of aquatic vegetation such as cabomba, chara, water lilies, 

 pickerel weed, cat tails, etc. which grew along the shores of streams and ponds 

 or in coves, ditches, etc. In such places the seasoned collector instinctively 

 searches for them. 



Painted turtles can withstand considerable organic pollution and several 

 times they were taken in water which had a decidedly unpleasant odor. In 

 water exhibiting marked pollution of an industrial source the only painted 

 turtles collected were dead or dying. 



Individuals are fond of basking and in localities in which they were numer- 

 ous they sometimes were perched by the dozen upon muskrat houses, logs, etc. 

 They usually dived in with alacrity when approached, but on cool days in 

 early spring or late fall, when they were not so well warmed by the sun, they 

 were more sluggish and could be more easily stalked or rushed by the collector. 

 Likewise very small juveniles were much less wary, on the average, than adults. 



Unless they were thoroughly alarmed, it was usual on warm, clear days 

 for specimens to reappear at the surface near the spot where they dived in. 

 By standing quietly in the water for a few minutes it often was possible to 

 catch one or more of them when their heads appeared above the water, par- 

 ticularly if one was armed with a long-handled dip net. Individuals frequently 

 secreted themselves in the vegetation or upon the bottom and it would appear 

 that they are most apt to do this on cool or cloudy days, towards evening, or 

 when they are badly frightened. Specimens hiding in such places were often 

 located by treading about in the water or by probing for them with the hands. 

 Many were collected from boats and canoes and experience indicated that it 

 was somewhat easier to approach them from the water side of the shore than 

 from the land. 



Many individuals bite when handled and their jaws often are so sharp that 

 they can remove small clean-cut segments from the hand. They usually be- 

 come very tame in captivity, however, and will readily come for food when 

 the keeper appears with it. 



Specimens were taken in every month of the year, and were collected in 

 association with every other species of turtle known to occur in Ohio with the 

 exception of the brown soft-shelled turtle. They were observed moving about 

 under the ice in captivity. On February 21, 1931, eleven specimens were col- 

 lected near Holland, Lucas County, several being obtained beneath a thin 

 covering of ice. Another was taken January 31, 1931, in an open drainage 

 ditch during a snow storm and while the thermometer registered just below 

 freezing. Many specimens hibernated successfully in the Toledo Zoo pool in 

 water and wet leaves. 



