127 



Warren county, Zoological Division, Warren. 

 Washington county, Couch, Joseph, Canonsburg. 

 Wyoming county, Bunnell. F. I)., Meshoppeu. 



It will be seen by (he above that it is liable to otciii' in aii.\ part 

 of this State. 



The Snapping Turtle j)refers nuuhly ponds as its jilace of abode, 

 although it is often found in clear rivx?rs. Dr. Hay says. "It is often 

 seen far from any water, walking along with awkward gait. When 

 seen on land it may be seeking some spot in which to deposit its 

 eggs or seeking for food, or perhaps crossing from ont> stream to 

 another. In water th^y do not seem to swim, but they may often 

 be seen floating along just beneath the surface with the snout and 

 eyes only above. "When disturbed, they go immediately to the bot- 

 tom and conceal th'emselves there. When traveling about they are 

 often seen with a great amount of mud on their backs, as though 

 they had be(^n burrowin.i!; in the earth. This species is strong and 

 courageous. When attacked they neither attem]>t to retreat nor 

 retire passively into'their shells. The jaws are opened, the head and 

 long neck are suddenly thrust out, and at the same moment the 

 animal leaps forward toward its tormen-tor. If the aim has been 

 correct, the jaw closes on the. enemy and the hold is doggedly re- 

 tained. It is a curious notion held by many peo])le that when it 

 has once secured a hold, it will not let loose until it has thundered. 

 It will sometimes permit itself to be carried around by a stick which 

 it has seized. 



'The flesh of the Snapping Turtle is often used for food, especially 

 that of the younger individuals. When they grow old their flesh 

 is likely to have a musky and disagreeable smell. These turtles are 

 regularly seen in the markets (Washington) every spring." 



When caught or angered they give out a strong odor which to 

 many individuals may be very disagreeable. Mr. R. W. Wehrle, of 

 Indiana, Pa., calls our attention to the fact that he finds this odor 

 much stronger in the males than in the females. They are often 

 fattened in swill barrels, and when well fed they fatten quickly, 

 especially in the fall of the yenr. when they are naturally becoming 

 in good condition for hibernation. Th^y are then considered best 

 for food, riolbrook says "They ar(^ brought in numbers to market 

 and are esteemed excellent food, though T think they are far inferior 

 to the Orrc^n Turtle, the Soft shelled Turtle, or even sevcM'al of the 

 Emydes. They are kept for months in tubs of water and fed on 

 offal." The older the animal the stronger and h'ss palatable the 

 flesh. The eggs are vei-y nutritious and mudi sought for food, but 



