304 REPTILES AND BATRACHIANS 



at a warm temperature. Their food consists of earth- 

 worms, minnows, cut fish, small pieces of raw meat, meal 

 worms, lettuce, etc., and should be provided every second 

 day. 



Turtles reproduce by means of eggs. In captivity it is 

 unusual for them to lay, much more so for the eggs to hatch, 

 so that no increase in the family need be expected. 



The Painted Turtle or Terrapin {Chrysemys picta) 

 is the species most familiar to eastern boyhood. It is the 

 most brightly colored of native Turtles, and easily dis- 

 tinguished by the red markings on the sides of the shell. 

 It reaches a length of five or six inches, and is found in 

 ponds and slow-moving streams. In captivity it will live for 

 years if properly treated. The Diamond-backed and Yellow- 

 bellied Terrapins are closely allied to this species. 



The Musk Turtle {Aromochelys odoratus) and the 

 Mud Turtle (Cinosternum pennsylvanicurn) belong to a 

 group of several closely allied species which are found in 

 still, muddy waters. They are dull-colored and small in 

 size, and both emit a musky odor when handled, but may 

 be distinguished from each other by wider undershell of the 

 Mud Turtle. In captivity they are very hardy, and do well 

 on the usual foods. 



The Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpintina) is the only 

 eastern species which is really dangerous or grows to a 

 large size. In color it is uniformly dull, the shell being 

 rough and generally moss-covered and the head huge and 

 evil-looking. It is able to strike with lightning rapidity, and 

 the powerful, razor-edged jaws can inflict serious damage 

 on whatever may come between them. In captivity it will 

 enjoy an opportunity to crawl about out of water, but like 

 all truly aquatic species generally cannot swallow unless sub- 

 merged. 



The Spotted Turtle (Chelopus guttatus) is a species 



