i;{5 



strugjjles violently. It is said (o he less dI" m Walcr Turtle tli;m 

 others of its family, and may biiridw in <liy jiiomul where it also 

 hibernates. 



Fowler says, "It was vciy abiiiulaiil all about the swamps of 

 Eastern New Jersey and was shy, l)nt easily taken in a small dip net. 

 They swim well, are nonresislant and not so odorifeious as tlie next 

 species. It reaches about six inches in lenj^th of carapace, an<l 

 many small ones were to be seen. This species is active as late as 

 September." 



Ilays rejwrts that the ej;gs arc similar to those of the Musk Turtle, 

 and are laid in like situations. 



Ditmars says, "The abodes are practically identical with odorofvs. 

 This is at i>erfect ease in a deep aquarium with no means of leaving 

 the water. They are strictly aquatic when in the wild state and 

 prowl about the muddy bottom of rivers and ponds in search of 

 food." 



The Mud Turtle is reported by vaiious authors as feeding upon 

 aquatic animals, tish, repliles and insects. In its feeding habits it 

 is piobably not seriously objectionable from an economic stand- 

 point. 



Species (5. Aromochelys odoratus (Latreille). The Musk Turtle, 

 [Sternothwrits odoratus (Latreille).] 



The Musk Turtle is variously known by the common name here 

 used, as well as the Musk Tortoise, Stink Pot, Mud Terrapin, Mud 

 Turtle, Common Musk Turtle and ]\Iud Tortoise. Various authors 

 have used these different terms. To avoid confusion it would be 

 better if we should adhere to the uniform term of ''Musk Turtle", 

 although customs can not well be changed. 



Tlie description is as follows: 



Carapace long and narrow, high-arched, highest behind the middle, 

 rising more gradually anterioi-ly than descending posteriorly. 

 Mai-gin of carapace turning downward and inwai'd rather than out- 

 ward; plastron insufficiently flexible or projecting back to (Mose the 

 .^uell. Head, large, pointed, jaws strong, eyes far forw'ard, limbs 

 slender, feet short. Plastron with posterior lobe truncated. Car- 

 apace somewhat keeled but plates not over-lapping in adult. Shell 

 dusky, clouded, sometimes s]>ot(ed oi- dashed with black, but usually 

 with color and plates obscured with moss. Neck with two yellow 

 stripes, one from above, the other from below, the eye. The skin of 

 the neck has a number of j»ointed fleshy tubercles especially above. 

 Odor musky. General ajq^earance suggests a Snapping Turtle, 

 though this species seldom if ever exceeds four inches iq length. 

 Plastron dark yellow or brown. 



