314 PRACTICAL ZOOLOGY 



Habitat. Turtles are usually present in all fresh-water streams 

 and ponds with muddy bottoms. In some parts of the country 

 certain species live on land, and some parts of the sea are inhab- 

 ited by others. The names turtle, tortoise, and terrapin are often 

 confused, illustrating the value of scientific terms (seep. 106). 



FIG. 192. Soft-shelled turtle. (Photo, of living animal. Copyright by 

 Doubleday, Page and Co.) 



Fresh-water Turtles. The common turtles living in muddy- 

 bottomed streams and in ponds are the snapping turtle, mud 

 turtle, painted terrapin, pond turtle, and soft-shelled turtle. 



The common snapping turtle (Fig. 189) is a voracious, car- 

 nivorous animal feeding on fish, frogs, water fowl, etc., and 

 does not hesitate to attack man with its formidable beak, often 



