78 



Some Notes on the Habits of the Common Box Turtle 

 (Cistudo Carolina). 



Glenn Culbertson. 



During the latter part of last July, while passing through an exten- 

 sive tract of woodland in the so-called "Flats" or "Slashes" of Jefferson 

 county, I noticed a very unusual number of the common box turtle in a pool 

 of muddy water. The pool was less than ten feet in diameter and was 

 frequented by a nunjber of hoi^s as a wallow. 



On removing from the pool the turtles, some of which were visible 

 and others completely buried in the soft mud, I counted seventy-two. They 

 were all sizes from two or three inches in length up to eight inches. The 

 largest had the number 1SG7 carved on its under side, the number in all 

 probability having been placed there during that year. 



The number of these animals found in this pool is certainly remark- 

 able. I have spent many hours in the woods and fields of Jefferson and 

 other counties of southeastern Indiana, and have never, until on this oc- 

 casion, seen more than two or three of these turtles together, or, in fact, 

 during any one day. 



The explanation of this unusually large gathering of these turtles is 

 probably found in the intense heat of the ten days or two weeks pre- 

 ceding the date of their observation. Although the soil was not at all 

 dry, the heat j^robably drove them to the pool from all sides. On the 

 same day I observed two other turtles burying themselves in a muddy 

 spot but a foot or so in diameter. 



When I had returned the animals to the pool, and while observing 

 them from a distance a number of hogs approached, and in a few moments 

 several of the largest had each picked up a turtle and were endeavoring 

 to crush the shells. I watched the performance with considerable interest, 

 as I had previously supposed that forest flres were about the only enemy 

 of these turtles. To my surprise the largest hogs, after many attempts, 

 and with a noise as though cracking walnuts, succeeded in crushing the 



