a terrapin — Kouta) and other species such as the map and yellow-belly, 
are all of commercial value and are to be seen in the fish markets of the 
eastern seaboard, the Gulf and Central States. 
SPOTTED TURTLE 
Bright yellow-orange spots in each of the top shell’s black shields is 
responsible for the spotted turtle’s name. 
These turtles may be seen in fresh-water ponds in the eastern United 
States, and sometimes according to J. T. Nichols they even venture into 
brackish areas. They enjoy sunning themselves, and will clamber on a log 
in groups, sometimes so numerous that they are perched one atop the other. 
These attractive creatures are intelligent enough to quickly learn the way 
through a maze — if there is food at the end. 
Their shell is about four inches long, although smaller in the females, 
whose tail is also shorter than that of the males. When born, the young 
have an egg-tooth on their nose to help them crack through the eggshell; 
it disappears a week later. 
Like many of its chelonian brethren, the spotted turtle hibernates in 
the mud beneath the water. Sometimes, when a premature thaw breaks the 
frost, the turtle will ascend to the surface with the speed of molasses. It 
will enjoy its first bit of sun in a long while, strolling along the bank. But 
as the sun goes down and frost once again sets in, the impetuous creature 
will learn that it made a mistake in believing spring had come. It will be 
unable to move its sluggish body through the frozen mudbank and several 
months later only scattered bits of its shell will be left to greet the spring. 
LEPROUS TURTLE 
A related species is the leprous turtle of Spain, Morocco and Algeria, so 
named because in stagnant and impure water it acquires a skin disease su¬ 
perficially akin to man’s leprosy. The shell of the leprous turtle is cracked 
by the hot sun and it becomes infected from the foul waters. 
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