ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN 639 
turtles could ourrow for the 
purpose of cleaning them- 
selves and hiding when at 
rest. They were very ac- 
tive, frequently chasing each 
other about the large tank, 
and occasionally climbing 
out on the floating log. The 
soft-shell is the most active 
of all our native turtles. 
They took to the sand quite 
naturally, darting into it 
and with a few quick move- 
ments covering themselves 
completely. Frequently the 
entire lot would be under 
the sand, their small heads 
and long slim necks alone 
protruding. Since these 
changes were made, the tur- 
tles have fed freely and 
none of the specimens has 
been lost. A supply of 
sand to hide in, seems to be 
SOFT-SHELLED TURTLES IN a necessity with this species. Upon such ap- 
CAPTIVITY. parently insignificant details of management, the 
EVERAL specimens of the soft-shelled successful keeping of wild creatures in captivity 
Sete from Lake Erie, known as Aspido- depends. All captive animals should be under 
nectes spinifer, are living and thirving in the care of keepers interested in their welfare. 
their tank at the Aquarium. 
While the species has 
long been represented in 
our collections, it was only 
by annual renewals that 
the supply of individuals 
could be maintained. Three 
years ago the soft-shells 
were removed to a larger 
and deeper tank with a 
view to discovering, if pos- 
sible, some means of 
lengthening the period of 
their lives in captivity. 
The depth of the water 
in their tank was increased 
to two feet, and a small 
floating log introduced, 
upon which they could 
climb for an occasional air- 
ing. Two bucketsful of 
clean sand were poured in- 
to one end of the tank, in- 
to which these mud-loving 
SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE. 
Upper side. 
SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE. 
Under side. 
