IX THECOPHORA CRYPTODIRA CHELYDRIDAE 339 



barbels on the chin. The tail carries three series of originally 

 triangular horny crests, which with age are transformed into 

 blunt knobs. The general colour of this rather ugly creature is 

 (jlive, mottled with dark brown above and with yellowish below. 



According to Holbrook the Snapping Turtle is found in 

 stagnant pools, or in streams where the waters are of sluggish 

 motion. Generally they prefer deep water, and live at the bottom 

 of rivers ; at times, however, they approach the surface, above 

 which they elevate the tip of their pointed snout, all other parts 

 being concealed ; and in this way they float slowly with the 

 current, but if disturbed they descend speedily to the bottom. 

 They are extremely voracious, feeding on fish, reptiles, or any 

 animal substance that falls in their way. They take the hook 

 readily, whatever may be the bait, though most attracted hj 

 pieces of fish ; in this way many are caught for the market. It 

 is, however, necessary to have strong hooks and tackle, otherwise 

 they would be broken, for the animal puts forth great strength 

 in his struggles to escape, both with his firm jaws and by bring- 

 ing his anterior extremities across the line. When caught they 

 always give out an odour of musk, which in very old animals is 

 sometimes disagreeably strong. 



Occasionally the Snapping Turtle leaves the water, and is 

 seen on the banks of rivers or in meadows, even at a distance 

 from its accustomed element. On land his motions are 

 awkward ; he walks slowly, with his head, neck, and long tail 

 extended, elevating himself on his legs like the Alligator, which 

 at that time he greatly resembles in his motions ; like the 

 Alligator also, after having walked a short distance, he falls down 

 to rest for a few moments, and then proceeds on his journey. In 

 captivity they prefer dark places, and are exceedingly ferocious ; 

 they will seize upon and bite severely anything that is offered 

 them, and their grasp upon the object with their strong jaws is 

 most tenacious. 



The Snapping Turtles, or " Snappers," are feared on account 

 of the ferocious bites which they inflict, and they are hated 

 because of the destruction of valuable fish and water-fowl. They 

 in turn atone for this damage by being eaten, especially the 

 younger half-grown individuals, the flesh of the older ones being 

 too much tainted with the odour of musk. The round eggs, 

 which are laid to the number of twenty to thirty in the summer 



