Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 595 



Length of carapace, 13 inches. 

 Width of carapace, 10.5 inches. 

 Length of head and neck, 9 inches. 

 Length of fore leg and foot, 4.5 inches. 

 Length of hind leg and foot, 5.5 inches. 

 Length of tail, 3.5 inches. 



Another example measured 11.75 inches long and weighed 5.5 

 pounds; another 11 inches, 4 pounds; another female measured, 

 length of carapace 12.5 inches, width 11 inches; and still another 

 was 12.5 by 10.25 inches. 



The eggs of the Soft-shell probably hatch in the autumn, and 

 there is probably some rang6 in the time of their hatching just as 

 there is in the time of laying. The period of incubation doubtless 

 varies somewhat with the season, whether such as to warm up the 

 soil considerably or not, and also a good deal with the nature of 

 the soil in which the eggs are laid, a warm sandy soil hatching 

 them out sooner than a colder soil. In the late autumn of 1906, 

 on November 16, a nest of eggs was found in the black mucky soil 

 near the south shore of Outlet Bay, which contained well-formed 

 young Soft-shells, the color-markings (spots on back) being dis- 

 tinct. The egg-yolk was not yet absorbed, but occupied one-half 

 the shell while the turtle occupied the other. It seems probable 

 that the turtles would not have left the nest that year, but would 

 have wintered there. It is possible that this was a belated nest. 



As an article of food the Soft-shelled Turtle is the most highly 

 esteemed of any of the species found in Indiana, the soup made 

 from it being delicious. Not many of the cottagers at the lake, 

 however, seem to have acquired a taste for this or any species of 

 turtle, and they are not much sought after. 



This turtle is the species most often caught in traps, on set- 

 lines, and by anglers. On August 8, several were caught in 

 water 14 feet deep east of Long Point on a hook baited with grass- 

 hoppers. On June 27, six were caught on set-lines baited with 

 meat, two others were obtained the same way August 1, and one 

 on August 17. Set-lines placed in Lost Lake were always quite 

 sure to take several any time from June to September. In 1906, 

 a citizen of Culver who set out turtle traps caught numbers of 

 these. 



This species probably devours dead fish or other animals found 

 in the water. Its principal diet, however, as evidenced by a num- 

 ber of stomachs examined, appears to consist of crawfishes. 



This turtle has few enemies and would be able to escape al- 

 most anything that attempted to capture it. A good many young 

 appear to perish during their first winter. The stomachs of some 



