gouimets, notably the Chinese-Americans, for its tasy meat. In its younger 
days it is said to give off an offensive, musky odor. In rural districts it was 
once common practice for farmers to catch snappers and place them in the 
swill barrel. There, feeding on the food of hogs, they grew deliciously fat 
and lost their muskiness. When the farmer considered the time ripe, the 
bloated snapper was killed and eaten. 
This turtle is also widely used for Philadelphia snapper soup. A few 
hostelries in that city still observe the early American custom of raising a 
flag, depicting a turtle on a white background, when that tasty dish is being 
served. In some sections even the eggs are considered good eating, and 
the oil derived from the turtles is thought to be good for bruises. Sometimes 
a fisherman to his disgust — pulls up his hook which seemed to have been 
seized by a prize fish and finds a snapper hanging on. Men kill it because 
of its depredations among fish and fowl, and some seek to “bring it back 
alive.” It thrives in captivity though retaining its sullen disposition. 
Extreme caution must be exercised by those handling these creatures. 
A snapper must be grasped by its horny tail and held at arm’s length until 
sacked or penned; otherwise, when it makes a thrust with its long, snake¬ 
like neck, it may clamp its dangerous beak on the body or clothing of its 
captor, according to Conant. 
Raccoons and skunks do not even give snapping turtles a chance to 
live, for they prey upon the eggs. Its nemesis in a fair, animal fight is the 
otter, which usually emerges victorious from such brawls. Both the otter, 
which is a mammal, and the snapper seize the same animals for food. The 
viciousness of the otter is demonstrated by its work in the water, where it 
kills ten times as many fishes as it can eat. When the two come to blows in 
some pond or stream, the slow-moving turtle gives rapid vent to its full fury. 
The waters are churned as mammal and reptile bite and snap in death 
combat. Ultimately the turtle succumbs to its superior and the sharp teeth 
of the otter sink conclusively into the vanquished snapper’s neck, severing 
its head from its clawing body. 
A number of American Indian tribes had a strange use for the snapping 
turtle. They would disembowel the creature, cut off its legs and tail, and 
make a handle by inserting a piece of wood through the head and flabby 
neck. Then some stones were placed within the hollow shells which were 
closed by sewing up the skin at both ends. The result was a rattle which 
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