CHAPTER V: THE TERRAPINS 

 THE GENERA CHRYSEMYS, MALACOCLEMMYS AND CHELOPUS 



A Group of Aquatic Chelonians Known Commonly as Pond Turtles 

 and River Turtles. They are Characterised by Their Broad, Flat 

 Shell. Most of the Species are Edible 



THE term "Terrapin" is a convenient one, for under this 

 appropriate, popular head we may group all of the North American 

 "turtles," or semi-aquatic chelonians, except the Soft-shelled 

 Turtles (Trionychidce) , the Snapping Turtles (Chelydridce) and 

 the Musk Turtles (Cinosternidce). 



Classification of the Terrapins. The Terrapins are embraced 

 in the large family Tesludinidce', three genera are represented 

 in North America. The largest genus is Chrysemys; it contains 

 the largest species and its members range over the United States 

 generally, though most of them inhabit the southeastern por- 

 tion; others occur in Mexico, Central America, South America 

 and the West Indies. Malacodemmys is a small genus, con- 

 fined to the central and eastern portions of the United States. 

 Chelopus is also a small genus and the species occur only in the 

 United States. 



The Terrapins frequent the borders of ponds, brooks and 

 rivers some, the salt marshes of the eastern coast. They 

 are characterised by their broad, flattened shell quite smooth 

 with the majority of them. The hind feet are extensively webbed ; 

 all of these animals are excellent swimmers. Many of the species 

 of Chrysemys have very long, sharp claws on both pair of feet. 



Of all the Terrapins, the " Diamond-back," (Malacodemmys 

 palustris), is the most familiar, as it is a favourite though costly 

 article of food and a by-word of the eastern markets. The larger 

 species of Chrysemys and several of those belonging to Malaco- 

 demmys are sold in large numbers, but always at a far less 

 price than the Diamond-back. The former turtles, often 

 seen in large numbers in the markets where they are kept in cold 



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