downhill. In this case downhill led to some ponds only a few hun- 

 dred feet away. Whether gravity, scent, or something that may 

 be called instinct, for want of better knowledge, led it in that 

 direction cannot be stated. 



Food. The young turtles eat aquatic insects, especially the soft 

 larvae, snails, and tadpoles. As the turtle grows the diet is extended 

 to include frogs, fish, salamanders, reptiles, and even birds and 

 mammals. We estimated a minimum loss to turtles of no young 

 mallard ducklings on our lake one season. 



This turtle is characterized by its aggressive disposition and 

 musky pond-bottom odor, and by being a walking incubator of 

 parasites, from the clustering leeches on its soft outer parts to the 

 trematode, cestode, and nematode worms in its digestive tract. Since 

 a large snapper is genuinely dangerous only small specimens should 

 be kept as pets. In the aquarium a small Snapping Turtle will thrive 

 on any diet that includes animal matter. It will especially apprec- 

 iate any living fishes that you may place with it. 



Be sure not to allow the water containing one of these animals 

 to become polluted by decaying food. 



THE TERRAPINS 



(Testudinidae) 



These turtles are distinguished by having a broad, flattened cara- 

 pace, which is usually smooth. Their hind toes are well webbed and 

 they are excellent swimmers, although some species may spend part 

 of the time feeding on land. Many have long claws on all four feet, 

 the front claws of the males being very long. They are to be found 

 in or near rivers, streams, lakes, and even salt marshes. A brackish 

 water species, the Diamondback Terrapin, is America's most noted 

 and expensive food turtle. 



Spotted Turtle (Clemmys guttata) 



Appearance. The upper shell of this species is black, occasionally 

 tinged with red. There are round orange spots on each scale — one 

 to a scale in young turtles, often two or more in older ones. The 



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