58 REPTILES OF THE WORLD 



trace of the turtle is to be seen. Patience will reward 

 the observer. Presently a snake-like head emerges from 

 the ooze, when a slight movement will cause this to snap 

 back again ; shortly, if the creature is not well imbedded, 

 another mud cloud may arise and through it a disk-like 

 object darts for better shelter. 



Soft-Shelled Turtles are almost entirely carnivorous, 

 feeding largely on fishes and frogs. Agile swimmers, 

 they seize their prey by a dart of the head. They are 

 dangerous enemies of all the smaller aquatic creatures. 

 Different individuals of one species may exhibit a pro- 

 nounced variation in feeding habits and such have a 

 decided influence upon the development of the mouth 

 parts. Some specimens have worn-down mandibles, but 

 behind these, on both the upper and lower j aws, are very 

 broad, flat crushing surfaces ; turtles thus provided feed 

 largely upon mollusks — snails and mussels. 



Under observation, the Soft-Shelled Turtles are 

 hardy and live for years. They should be placed in a 

 tank of deep water. Here they are so thoroughly at 

 ease in the water, even though no means have been pro- 

 vided for emerging from it, they will live indefinitely. 

 A thriving colony may soon be thrown into a state of 

 bad health and ultimately lost, if rockwork or concrete 

 is sloped out of the tank to enable the animals to crawl 

 from the water. In crawling over the rough surface 

 the turtles scratch and bruise the tender plastron until 

 it is worn down to the bones. Ulcers develop, bringing 

 speedy ill-health, then death. The observer should 

 always remember that the soft-shelled turtles are crea- 

 tures of soft, muddy places. While a bank of mud is 

 altogether inappropriate in an aquaiium, a section of a 

 smooth, water-soaked log will answer the purpose of a 

 resting place. In selecting a roost for his own speci- 



