Hurter — Herpetology of Missouri. 227 



jectlon at the symphysis of jaws. Alveolar plate narrow. Carapace 

 rugose, with three tubercular keels in adult and young, becoming grad- 

 ually smoother with age. Vertebral shields much broader than long, 

 at least three-fourths the width of the costals. Marginal plates exclu- 

 sive of the nuchal 24. Plastron small, leaving the limbs exposed, cov- 

 ered with five pairs of scutes. The bridge very narrow; two or three 

 inframarginals at the outer end of the bridge. Feet broad, webbed to 

 the nails. Fingers five, all with nails. Toes five, the outer one without 

 a nail. The outer border of all the limbs with a sharp fold of skin. 

 Tail long and pointed, nearly as long as, or longer, than the carapace 

 in young, two-thirds or three-fourths the length in half-grown and adult. 

 A strong crest of large compressed tubercles along the median line, 

 which are supported by a bony core. Each side of the tail with smaller 

 tubercles. Under side with two rows of large scales. Skin of neck, 

 under jaw, body limbs and tail covered with wrinkles and large and 

 small warts. A pair of small barbels at the chin. 



Color. — Color of carapace chestnut brown to black. Plastron and 

 soft skin whitish or yellowish. Head and upper neck brown. 



Size. — ^A good sized specimen — total length, head and tail outstretched 

 712 mm. Length of carapace 300 mm.; width 264 mm. Length of 

 plastron 225 mm. Length of tail 280 mm. Circumference of head 250 

 mm. Weight 19.5 kilograms. 



Habitat. — From southern Canada throughout the 

 United States, east of the Rocky Mountains, to Mexico 

 and Ecuador in South America. In Missouri it is found 

 in nearly every stream and pond. 



Habits. — The Common Snapping Turtle is mostly found 

 in and near creeks, lakes, ponds and sloughs. It prefers 

 muddy water but nevertheless is also found in clear water. 

 When seen away from water it may either be looking for 

 a place to deposit its eggs or may be crossing from one 

 stream to another. While collecting in St. Clair Co., 111., 

 in a slough I used what I thought a moss-covered rock 

 for a stepping stone. My foothold began moving and I 

 discovered that I was standing on the back of a thirty- 

 pound Snapping Turtle, which I did not omit to carry 

 home with me. The Snapping Turtle is carnivorous and 

 lives wholly on fish, crayfish, frogs, small rodents and 

 small and young water fowl. A farmer once told me that 

 he lost many a young duck on account of the Snapping 



