the long tail persist. The lower shell is diamond shaped and very 

 small in proportion, and the soft folds of the underside of the turtle 

 are thus little protected. Perhaps this lack explains the bad temper 

 of this animal, which evidently considers offense the best defense. 

 The color of the upper shell varies from black through dark 

 olive to brown, and is often much obscured by growth of algae. I 

 have stepped upon a partly submerged snapper mistaking it for a 

 mossy stepping stone in a brook. 



Baby Snapper 



The yellow lower shell is surrounded by gray folds of skin. 



The dark brown head is large and armed with heavy, bony jaws 

 which are hooked at the end. 



Size. An average-sized female from this area has a shell 275 

 mm. long and 238 mm. wide. Occasionally much larger turtles 

 are found. 



Habitat. This species is to found in any body of water large 

 enough to harbor animals upon which it can feed. Not even formal 

 garden and fish hatchery ponds escape damaging visits. 



Hibernating individuals are reported from muddy ponds. 



Breeding Habits. Mating evidently can take place at any time 

 from April to October. The male grasps the female by hooking 

 the claws of all four legs under the edge of her upper shell. His 

 long tail is then curled around and under hers so that their vents 

 are in contact. 



The female comes out in the early morning during the first part 



[88] 



