The Snapping Turtles 



Dimensions. — The figures given represent a fair-sized adult: 



Total length, with Tail and Head outstretched 28 inches. 



Length of Carapace .■...■ 12 " 



Width of Carapace .'. .... loj " 



Length of Plastron 8J 



Length of Tail 11 



Circumference of Head 10 



Weight 32 pounds. 



Distribution. — Southern Canada and the United States 

 generally east of the Rocky Mountains; southward through 

 .Mexico to Ecuador. 



Habits of the Snapping Turtle 



Sinister in appearance and equally vicious as its looks imply, 

 the Snapping Turtle is one of the most familiar of the North 

 American reptiles. It inhabits slow-running, muddy rivers 

 and streams, ponds and marshes. Very old specimens are some- 

 times so bloated and overburdened with fat that the fleshy 

 parts protrude beyond the margin of the shell and so hinder 

 the progress of the limbs that the reptile is almost helpless when 

 removed from the water. Specimens in this condition are said 

 to be excellent as food. Large numbers of snapping turtles 

 are sold in the markets of Philadelphia and Baltimore. They 

 fetch about ten cents per pound. 



With the exception of the soft-shelled turtles — genus Trionyx, 

 the Snapping Turtles are rather unique among chelonians, in 

 defending themselves in a like fashion to snakes; namely by 

 "striking" at the object of anger. The rapidity with which 

 the head is lurched forward rivals the dexterity of the rattle- 

 snake. So quick is the movement that the eye is barely able 

 to follow it. Backed up by a pair of keen-edged, cutting man- 

 dibles and jaw muscles of tremendous power, the stroke of these 

 dangerous brutes may be followed by anything but superficial 

 injury. The amputation of a finger by a medium-sized specimen, 

 or a hand by a very large individual would be an accomplish- 

 ment of no difficulty to the reptile. As in their native state 

 these turtles lie partially embedded in the mud of the river- 

 bottom, the rapid movements of the head and neck are important 

 in the capture of fish which form the larger portion of the food. 

 But the Snapping Turtle is an exceedingly voracious brute, 



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