Photo by S. C. Dunton, New York Aquarium,. 
“PAINTED” TURTLES, like this sped- the binding agent in the paint 
men, sold as souvenirs, seldom live causes the shell to curl, 
to achieve maturity, because— preventing proper growth 
and causing suffocation. 
Some members of this species which live in clean, fresh water are 
not affected and retain a healthy appearance. The top shell of a leprous 
turtle is about eight inches long and is a dull olive gray, while the bottom 
shell and legs are yellow. Their bright colors tend to fade as they grow 
older. The young ones are quite different from the adults, having an orange 
dot on each olive brown shield. 
Leprous turtles can be kept in captivity for many years, eating under 
water. At first they produce a strong, distasteful stench, which becomes less 
and less offensive as they become acclimated. They can live out-of-doors 
as far north as England, but then they hibernate in the winter. If kept in 
tanks of warm water, they do not hibernate and they mate throughout the 
year rather than at a specific season. 
Related species of pond turtles include the semi-aquatic, brown-shelled 
wood turtle of the eastern United States; the Caspian turtle; the European 
pond turtle; and the numerous Asiatic and East Indian varieties that serve 
the native populations as sources of food, destroyers of insects and scaven¬ 
gers of stagnant pools and sewage-clogged streams. 
DIAMOND-BACK TERRAPIN 
The diamond-back is undoubtedly the most popular North American terra¬ 
pin. To its many admirers, however, it has little charm when in its native 
salt marshes or muddy tide flats. But put it in a kettle with the other 
ingredients necessary for making a savory diamond-back terrapin stew — 
and its popularity is well-nigh limitless. 
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