156 NATURAL HISTORY OF AQUATIC ANIMALS. 



not as abundant as the Yellow-bellied Terrapin, they are sufficiently so to furnish considerable 

 food, but whether they are brought to market I am not aware. 



42. THE DIAMOND-BACK OR SALT-WATER TERRAPIN. 



Three species of the genus Malacoclemmys inhabit the United States. By far the most 

 important of these, and the most valuable of all Terrapins, is the Malacodemmys palustris, or 

 "Diamond-back Terrapin." 



The other two species, the Geographic Tortoises, M. geographica and M. Lesueuri, are of .com- 

 paratively rare occurrence, and are not used for food to any considerable extent. 



DISTRIBUTION. The "Diamond back," or "Salt-water Terrapin," is common along our entire 

 Atlantic coast from Nantucket and New Bedford, in Massachusetts, to Texas. It also occurs in 

 South America. It was introduced into Italy by the Prince of Canino, a number of years ago, but 

 of the success of the enterprise I. haVe been unable ,to learn. Those which enter into commerce, 



* . * " 



however, are principally from Chesapeake Bay and the coast of the Carolinas. Some very fine 

 ones also come from Egg Harbor, N. J. 



CHARACTERISTICS AND HABITS. The Diamond-back lives in salt marshes near the coast, and 

 is seldom found far from them. They were formerly very abundant in such localities, and could 

 be often seen on warm days sunning themselves on the bars and flats. But the increasing demand 

 for them and the wholesale capture of old and young have reduced their numbers very materially. 

 The species is a comparatively small one, and varies much in external appearance. The females 

 attain a larger size than the males, and are much more highly prized in market. The average 

 lengi h of the under part of the shell is seven inches, and the weight of the animal four or five 

 pounds. Rarely the length reaches ten inches, and the Terrapin weighs about ten pounds. The 

 fixed standard of length for salable females in most markets is six inches, but in some it is as low 

 as five inches. Terrapin having that length are known as " counts." The small specimens are 

 separated into "heifers" and "little bulls"; their under shell rarely exceeds five inches in length. 

 As has been already said, they are deemed very inferior to the females, and the price of them is 

 therefore much lower. 



In regard to the rate of growth, I have seen it stated that the Diamond-back reaches 

 maturity, or rather lays eggs, when four years old, but this is hardly probable. It does not accord 

 with the observations of Agassiz and others, nor with the peculiarities of the group generally. 

 Experiments made by a dealer in North Carolina seem to show that the species grow about one 

 inch each year, so that "counts" are at least six years old. Probably ten years at least elapse 

 before they are fully grown. 



FOOD. What the food of the Diamond -back Terrapin is does not seem to be exactly known. 

 Very probably, however, it consists of such matter, both animal and vegetable, as the animal is able 

 to find in the marshes in which it lives. When penned, preparatory to sending them to market, they 

 are fed on crabs, oysters, and fish. To give them the finest flavor they are said to be fed upon 

 celery for some days previous to being served. In the winter the tortoise hibernates and takes no 

 food, remaining buried several inches in the mud. Unfortunately for its welfare, a little mound of 

 mud is always raised above the spot where it disappears, which at once catches the eye of the 

 terrapin fisherman. A large proportion of the Terrapins are taken while they are in this torpid 

 condition. 



BREEDING HABITS. Like all other species of Tortoises, the Diamond back deposits its 

 eggs on land. When the laying season arrives the female seeks some sandy bar or bank above 

 water, and having excavated a shallow pit with the hind legs, deposits from five to seven eggs. 



