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THE COLLECTION OF I-RESH W ATER TURTLES. 



Tn\ IRIXCi tlie ])ri-scnt winti-r the A((uariuni 

 ^~^ has received a numhcr of specimens <if 

 larjje soft-shelled turtles from Florida. 

 The turtles were sent tn varimis \'e\v York 

 markets, where the s]iecies was unfamiliar, and 

 there heinjj no ready sale for them, the speci- 

 mens were ])n)eured at very small cost for the 

 .Aquarium. 



The first lot all died, owing to the rough 

 handling, and doubtless to the still rougher 

 winter weather to which thev had been subject- 

 ed. The second lot. receive<l dm-ing t!ie first 

 week in March, came in better condition. Two 

 of the specimens appear to l)e doing well ; they 

 are quite large, the top shell being about 2 

 feet long. Tliese turtles are common in Flor- 

 ida, and are occasionally sent to the markets 

 with other species. 



( )iher water turtles usually kept at the 

 .\(|uariuni are diamond back terrapin, geo- 

 graiihic turtle, lllanding t\n-tle. painted turtle. 



spotted turtle, nnisk turtle, snapping turtle, 

 wood turtle, slider terrapin, Muhlenberg turtle 

 and northern soft-shelled turtle. There have 

 been so manv a|)plications for information as 

 to how turtles should be fed and cared for 

 that the following observations may be use- 

 ful : 



.\s most of our northern turtles hibernate 

 during the winter months, it is necessary to 

 keep them in fairly warm water if they are to 

 be ke])t active. In a merely half-active con- 

 dition they do not live long. The collection 

 at the .\quarium is supplied with water having 

 a temperature of about 70 degrees. 



The turtles are fed for the most part on 

 chopped beef, earth worms and small min- 

 nows, small amounts of chopped fish being 

 furnished at times. .\s it has never been pos- 

 sible to place the .-\quarium collection where 

 sunlight could reach them they have suffered 

 in consequence. 



