600 Lake Maxinkuckee, Physical and Biological Survey 



be seen. Our latest record is for December 31 (1904), when one 

 was observed through the ice in Outlet Bay. It is, therefore, active 

 practically throughout the year. On December 20, five were found 

 alive in a mink burrow. 



Although this species does not usually bask, it does so occa- 

 sionally. Among a hundred turtles seen basking, probably there 

 would be one or two Musk Turtles. They are quite disposed, how- 

 ever, to rest quietly in the water with the head just above the 

 surface. 



In disposition, this is the most vicious of any of our species ex- 

 cept the Soft-shell and the Snapper. It is very sly and apt to take 

 hold of one's finger when least expected. It holds on tenaciously 

 and would be capable of inflicting a painful wound were its size 

 not so diminutive. 



As to food, one was seen June 6, 1901, in company with a 

 Painted Turtle, swimming along behind a floating dead fish, and 

 nibbling bits out of it. Also, in the late autumn (Oct. 30, 1904), 

 one was seen nibbling at the body of a grass pike 13 inches long 

 that lay in the bottom at the head of the Outlet. This turtle or 

 others stayed near the fish several days, but did not seem to make 

 much progress in disposing of it, perhaps because the cold sea- 

 son was coming on, when they probably eat little or nothing. On 

 September 2, 3 or 4 were seen feeding on fresh cowdung in the 

 edge of Lost Lake. Professor Newman says they often contain 

 Vivipara contectoides. 



We have not been able to determine definitely the breeding sea- 

 son of this species. Among many examples collected November 1 

 (1904), several pairs were copulating. On September 13 (1906), 

 a pair were observed copulating, the female lying prone, as if 

 dead. September 20 (1907) a female found crushed in the road 

 contained eggs quite well developed. One was dissected November 

 27 (1904), which contained eggs the size of marbles. October 4, 

 very small ones were abundant in shallow water near shore, some 

 of them showing the placental attachment. These had probably 

 hatched but recently. Early in June, a good many may be seen 

 walking about on the land, and we supposed they were hunting 

 nesting sites. Some very small ones were caught May 6 and 7, 1901, 

 so they probably either hatch quite late in the year, or grow very 

 slowly. This evidence is so conflicting as to render any positive 

 statements regarding the breeding season hazardous. 



The enemies of the Musk Turtle do not appear to be many. On 

 December 20 (1904), one was found at the Inlet turned up on its 

 back and the soft parts almost wholly gone, probably devoured 



