Habitat. This species rather consistently inhabits smaller bodies 

 of water than the Map Turtle, which often looks the same at a dis- 

 tance. The Painted Turtle prefers small bays of large lakes, small 

 ponds, pools in small streams and rivers, and even drainage ditches 

 — wherever vegetation is abundant. 



Breeding Habits. Mating apparently may occur from spring to 

 autumn. Less is known about it than about the interesting court- 

 ship. During courtship the male swims after a female and passes 

 her, then whirls around and swims backward, facing her as she 

 swims. Upon being overtaken by the female he thrusts out his fore- 

 feet with their backs together and briefly vibrates the claws against 

 the chin of the female. He then withdraws his feet, swims back- 

 ward in front of her for five or ten seconds, then chucks her under 

 the chin again in his seductive way. 



The eggs are usually laid during June or July. The nesting site 

 is anywhere that fancy dictates, sometimes within a few feet of the 

 shore, sometimes even in hard ground hundreds of yards away. The 

 female digs a nest, using her hind feet much as a human being 

 might use his bare hands. It is reported that hard ground is softened 

 by occasional emissions of urine until it can be scraped away. When 

 a satisfactory flask-shaped hole has been dug some six to fifteen 

 eggs are laid. In size they are about 20 by 31 mm. The female then 

 covers them very cleverly, even packing down the earth with her 

 knuckles and dragging herself over the site. 



The usual time of hatching is September, but apparently the 

 eggs in some nests do not hatch until the following spring. 



Food. Painted Turtles seem to feed chiefly on flowering plants 

 and algae. Insects, carrion, and occasional mollusks are also eaten. 



The Painted Turtle tames readily, eats freely of such foods as are 

 at the aquarist's hand, and is reasonably hardy. Since it is also at- 

 tractively colored it leads the list of desirable aquarium animals. 

 A small specimen is preferable. The aquarium should contam a 

 projecting rock upon which the turtle can sun itself. 



[95] 



