134 HERPETOLOGY OF MICHIGAN. 



leaving most of the body exposed, bridge narrow. Tail long and 

 tapering. Under surface covered with large scales, the upper sur- 

 face furnished with a row of large horny tubercles; other smaller 

 tubercles on the upper surface of the tail. Head large and flat- 

 tened above, and with rather conspicuous bony ridges; snout rather 

 pointed; both jaws terminating in a hook. Large, transverse, 

 sharp-edged scales on the anterior part of the fore leg. Skin 

 wrinkled and covered with prominent warts. 



The color of the carapace may be very dark olive, broTNOi or black. 

 Upper parts of head, neck, limbs and tail brown or black, the tips 

 of the warts and various lines on the head frequently yellow or 

 brown. Plastron and under surface generally mostly dull yellow. 



Eahits and Hahitat: This is the largest turtle native to Michi- 

 gan. True (1893, 153) gives the maximum weight as twenty or 

 thirty pounds. It is extremely pugnacious in disposition, and uses 

 its sharp and powerful jaws upon slight provocation. Large indi- 

 viduals are to be handled carefully, as their powerful, keen-edged 

 jaws are capable of inflicting a severe injury. 



Snapping turtles prefer the quiet water habitats, such as lakes, 

 ponds and the pools of sluggish streams. They frequently lie 

 partly embedded in the mud of the bottom, snapping at their prey 

 as it comes within reach; in this habitat they are rendered more 

 inconspicuous by the mat of algae that often grows on the shell. 

 According to Newman (1906, 150), they may also stalk their prey. 

 They are carnivorous, and, according to Garman (1893, 245), 

 "their food consists of all manner of small animals, such as 

 fishes, frogs, reptiles, and young Avater birds." Hay (1892a, 558) 

 states that "a large specimen that I dissected had in its intestine 

 the feathers and partially digested bones of a full grown robin. 

 The wing and tail feathers filled up the intestine. Its excrement 

 contained the remains of a cravfish." 



Numerous other authors mention the food of this turtle but the 

 observations of Surface, who has published the following table, 

 are the most exact. 



