The Terrapins 



Carapace black, each shield enclosing a cluster of fine, 

 yellow spots. WESTERN POND TURTLE, C. marmoratus. 



Distribution. Pacific Region. 



b. Shell with coarse, concentric grooves; serrated in the rear. 

 Carapace brown. Neck and limbs brick red. 



WOOD TERRAPIN, C. inSCulptUS. 



Distribution. Eastern States. 



Detailed descriptions follow: 



THE SPOTTED TURTLE; POND TURTLE 

 Chelopus guttatus, (Schneider) 



Carapace smooth, quite flat and oval in outline. The 

 edges are evenly rounded with no indications of serrations. An 

 adult specimen is from three to four inches long. The feet are 

 sparsely webbed; the upper jaw deeply notched. 



Colouration. Upper shell black, with numerous, irregularly 

 scattered, round, yellow spots. The plastron and lower margin 

 of the carapace are black, with patches of faded yellow. 



Above, the head is black, with a few yellow spots in front 

 and a larger spot, of a deeper yellow (orange) over the region 

 of the ear. Lower surfaces of the limbs and the fleshy parts, 

 pale salmon. 



Dimensions. The following measurements represent an 

 average-sized specimen : 



Length of Carapace 3! inches. 



Width " 2| " 



Length of Plastron 3^ " 



Width, Flat Portion, Plastron 2j " 



Width of Head f 



Male specimens have a much longer tail than the other sex. 

 The tail of a male individual with upper shell slightly under 4 

 inches long, shows a length of if inches; the tail of a female speci- 

 men of the same length, is but f of an inch long. 



Distribution. An abundant species in the Eastern States, 

 ranging from Maine (inclusive) to northern North Carolina 

 and westward to Indiana. 



Habits. The familiar Spotted Turtle is one of the most 

 aquatic species of its genus. It is common about ponds, marshes 

 and small streams, where numerous specimens may be seen, 

 sociably assembled on a floating log or other objects that pro- 

 trude above the water, whence there is an undignified tumble 



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