2Gf 



SNAKES, TURTLES, LIZARDS, CROCODILES 



head is retracted the front feet and legs are brought around 

 in front and used completely to close tire openmg in the 

 front of the shell. The hind feet are club-shaped and each 



Fig. 181. — Gopher turtle. 



ends in four toe nails. They live in burrows dug in the soil 

 to the depth of four or five feet. 



Chief characteristics of the turtles. — The bodies are short 

 and stout and incased in a more or less bony box, called 

 the shell. The shell consists of two portions, an upper 

 portion, the carapace (Fig. 182), and a lower portion, the 

 plastron. These are immovably united by the edges, along 

 the sides, but remain open in front for the protrusion of the 

 head and fore legs, and behind, to allow action of the hind 

 legs and afford room for the tail. The turtles have no teeth, 

 but the horny jaws have sharp, chisel-like edges that form 

 a most efficient cutting apparatus. In most cases the head, 

 tail, and legs may be retracted within the shell. In most 

 turtles the shell is very completely ossified and covered 

 with scales. In the soft-shelled turtles, the shell is not so 

 bony but remains soft, while in the leather turtle, the soft 



