Newman, Habits of Tortoises. 139 



This love for warmth and relaxation seems to be one of the most 

 pronounced traits of Graptemys and must be considered as one 

 of the potent factors governing its behavior. Other species show 

 the same traits to a less marked degree. 



Methods of Locomotion and Defense.^-GTa.ptemys, as its large, 

 strongly-webbed feet would indicate, is a good swimmer; but not 

 nearly so swift as Aspidonectes, since the stroke is less rapid and 

 the lines of the body less well adapted for speed. 



On land Graptemys is not a good traveler. Its movements 

 are slow but not especially laborious. During its search for a 

 suitable nesting place it sometimes goes as much as a quarter of a 

 mile inland, and to do this it must needs be a fairly good walker. 



Apart from the possession of a very efficient armor, Graptemys 

 seems to be defenseless, unless a very complete protective colora- 

 tion be considered in this category. This coloration, however, 

 is clear and distinct only in very young specimens and becomes 

 more and more vague with advancing age. It is most m evidence 

 when most needed. 



When captured they hiss and struggle, but very quickly quiet 

 down and retire into the shell. If one thrusts a finger very close 

 to the beak they attempt to bite but they never advance the head 

 or snap. Their head and neck movement is always slow and 

 deliberate and they seize an object firmly but without haste. 

 This slowness of movement may be due to the fact that they do 

 not capture active prey. 



Graptemys, more than any other species with which I am 

 acquainted, seeks concealment amidst the vegetation of the lake 

 bottom. If individuals are pursued in boat or canoe they imme- 

 diately seek out some burrow or tunnel in the thick masses of 

 water weeds. If one approaches a shore where dozens of Grap- 

 temys are basking he may search in vain for any trace of tortoises 

 among the weeds, so quickly do they find concealment. 



When in the open, however, they depend entirely upon their 

 speed to escape pursuit. But they are easily captured from boats 

 or canoes with the aid of a long-handled dip-net. As a rule, 

 they give one a brief but exciting chase and then stop and retire 

 into the shell, either through exhaustion or in reliance upon the 

 efficiency of their armor. 



Feeding Habits. — Graptemys feeds exclusively upon the flesh 

 of a species of viviparous gastropod that abounds in Lake Maxm- 



