Snakes and Frogs and Their Relatives [215 



While turtles should have an abundance of sunshine (or even 

 bask under a sun lamp) , they must also have a shady retreat. 

 Too much heat can kill them. 



Menus for Turtle Pets: Most water turtles prefer to swallow their 

 food under water. Small bits put on a broom straw will often 

 arouse an indifferent pet. Raw, lean meat or fish scraped or 

 chopped fine is usually acceptable; but small worms, insects, 

 tadpoles and other little creatures are the natural food of young 

 turtles and are excellent if available. 



A good way to supplement the home diet is to mix a bit of 

 bone meal and a drop of cod-liver oil frequently with meat. Let- 

 tuce and other greens or raw fruits and vegetables add variety to 

 the menu. Baby turtles may be fed as often and as much as they 

 will eat; but a good feeding about twice a week should be enough. 

 A straight diet of "ant eggs" or house flies is not satisfactory. 



Turtle Ailments and Remedies: Turtles are often afflicted with 

 softening of the shell and swollen, closed eyes. Recommended 

 remedies are a warmer cage, more sunlight, and a more balanced 

 diet. Swollen eyes should be carefully wiped twice a day with 

 cotton dipped in warm boric-acid solution. When a turtle refuses 

 food for a long time, its appetite may improve if you give the 

 animal more warmth and sunlight. In winter there is a natural 

 tendency for turtles to eat less frequently and to be less active. 



SOME COMMON TURTLES 



Ponds are the most likely places to encounter turtles, 

 though aside from the species that frequent ponds there are also 

 sea turtles and those that live exclusively on land. "Tortoise" is a 

 general term that covers all types. "Turtle" is usually applied to 

 sea or fresh-water forms; "terrapin" is the name (of Indian origin) 

 for certain American fresh-water species. 



You may find a wood tortoise in the damp woods, far away 

 from water. Its upper shell one of its distinguishing features- 

 may reach a length of six and a half inches. It is made up of many 

 plates ornamented with concentric ridges. With the exception of 

 the top of the head and the limbs, all the fleshy parts of this 

 creature are brick-red. It thrives in captivity and will soon learn 



