132 A GUIDE FOR THE STUDY OF ANIMALS 



The Turtle 



1. In what important ways does the body of the turtle 

 differ from those of the snake and lizard ? 



2. What methods of locomotion has the turtle ? For 

 which method is it hest fitted ? How ? Why are its move- 

 ments in water so much less clumsy than on land ? (Com- 

 pare weight on land with weight in water. ) Compare the 

 efficiency of the locomotion of a turtle with that of a lizard 

 and suggest a reason for the difference. 



3. What do turtles eat while in the laboratory .' Since 

 turtles have no teeth, how can they bite off their food ? 



4. What can you discover with respect to the respiration 

 of the turtle ? Does it breathe when under water .' 



5. What sense organs has a turtle ? Which appears to 

 be most highly developed .■■ How do you know ? 



6. In what various ways is the turtle protected against 

 enemies ? (You should state several.) Are you afraid of 

 a turtle ? If so, why .' Why does the turtle need more 

 protection than the snake or lizard .'' 



7. Describe the color pattern of the turtle you are study- 

 ing. Is this arrangement of colors the same for others of 

 the same species ? 



8. Describe the arrangement of the epidermal plates of 

 the turtle's shell. Are the arrangement, number, and form 

 of plates the same for all turtles of this species ? Compare 

 with the plates of other species. What variations do you 

 find? 



Reptiles : A General Review and Library Exercise 



1. Characteristics of reptiles. 



2. Orders of reptiles. Characteristics and examples of 

 each order. 



