137 



The Musk Turtlf occurs froui Canada to the Gulf of Mexico aud 

 westward to Michipui and Northern Illinois. Nash reports it from 

 Lake Erie and St. Clair. Sniilli re[)ortH it from Michigan, and Stone 

 cites its occurrence in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania and 

 New Jersey. It is a species which is probably confined in the State 

 chiefly to the eastern and southeastern |K)rtions. Our Pennsylvania 

 collections indicate its occurrence as follows: 



Berks county, Gruber, C. L., Kutztown. 

 Chester county, llarker, Herbert, Westtown. 

 Cumberland county. Zoological Division, Eberley's Mill. 

 Dauphin county. Zoological Ottice, Harrisburg. 

 Dauphin county, Paine, F. ,]., Flarrisburg. 

 Lebanon county, Derickson, S. H., Annville. 

 Monroe county, Roberts, Geo. C, Stroudsburg. 

 Perry county, Showalter, C. E., Landisburg. 

 Philadelphia county. Miller, Richard F., Bridesburg, 



It is very common locally in certain waters, although apparently 

 not found in others. It is one of our smallest turtles, well known 

 for its strong musky odor. 



Holbrook says this species chooses slow moving or muddy waters, 

 and is very abundant in the ditches of rice fields in Carolina. "A 

 very much bolder animal than pennsylvanicnm^ and bites very 

 severely when provoked. \\'hen taken alive it emits a very strong 

 and disagreeable odor of musk." 



Hay gives the following very interesting account of its habits: 



"It is essentially an acpialic tortoise. Fre(iuents the deep i)arts 

 of ponds and small lakes. Is^ timid and prefers to seek safety in 

 concealment or in retreat, to defending itself actively. Neverthe- 

 less it is not altogether mild, since it will, when prevented from 

 escaping, put out its head slowly and close its jaws on its assailant 

 with a sudden snap. Is often seen basking in the sun on some 

 projecting rock or on some fallen tree, from which on the smallest 

 alarm it drops off into the water. Strong, musky odor.'' 



Eugene Smith adds the following interesting comment: 



"It gives off a fetid, musky odor. It is a very voracious animal, a 

 vicious biter, and altogether is a small understudy of the Snapping 

 Turtle. Older specimens frequently are overgrown with confervae 

 and plentifully covered with leeches. They are quite active, and 

 when very small can be kept with fishes in the aquarium. They are 

 slow growers, and will live for years in captivity, apparently better 

 than any other of our turtles." 



*'The eggs are laid in holes in the gand which the turtle excavates 

 with the hind fPPt. These eggs are tl>ree to five in number, eJoo- 



3 . _. ! 



