neck there is a yellow stripe with a black edge. These stripes pass 

 through the eyes and along the narrow snout and unite just be- 

 iiind the nostrils, each of which is divided in two by a thin par- 

 tition. Neck, legs and tail are speckled and blotched with black. 



Although the webbed feet and heavy legs look clumsy, this spec- 

 ies is a fast and graceful swimmer and can move quickly on land. 



Size. A medium-sized female is some 3 1 5 mm. long by 246 

 mm. wide. The male is appreciably smaller. 



Habitat. Shallow, quiet rivers, streams, and inland lakes seem 

 to be preferred habitats. Dense vegetation is not desired by this 

 active swimmer, but a mud bottom is used for concealment. Where 

 it can, this species likes to sun itself on grassy banks or beaches. 

 Lacking such opportunity, it prefers shallow, warm bays. 



Breeding Habits. Little is known of the mating of this species, 

 probably because of its extreme wariness. The eggs are laid in late 

 June and July. The female warily leaves the water, long neck up- 

 stretched and eyes alert. If the coast is clear she digs a typically 

 shaped nest about 150 mm. deep with her hind feet, lays her 

 twelve or so eggs, and packs on top of them sand moistened with 

 urine. Once the sand is neatly packed down she returns to the water 

 without a backward glance. 



The spherical white eggs are about 29 mm. in diameter. 



Food. Crayfishes appear to be the favorite food of this species, 

 but aquatic insects, mollusks, earthworms, frogs, tadpoles and fish 

 are also eaten. It is said that their food is mostly swallowed whole, 

 but they can clip large pieces out of a piece of fish or beef. 



The young Soft-shelled Turtle makes a good pet. It soon becomes 

 tame and eats readily. Although it is thoroughly aquatic it will 

 appreciate a sloping wooden platform upon which it can sun itself. 

 Platforms of stone or even sand scratch its tender underparts and 

 eventually cause fatal sores. It must be protected from larger spec- 

 imens of other species such as the Painted or Musk Turtles, for they 

 will bite pieces out of it. 



Old specimens are too large and aggressive for an aquarium and 

 are considered much more attractive in the soup kettle. 



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