4) Pht ome neon ele theent ghee het eeleye pttntestessetp sta piatcoes pats Tit rnp ve nebene veurert Sera Natimpen, eset ta iiobtonteremntereeetns DITO ain dratecbetsohystt stagione Satenejattiens atheists iaaaeae Seearttasteistiesesaat at metaistimeesigenens stor tan ttts. ieecigrteiiea aa sael TT eee Exiga i } pe pete Pit ti bel tet Vp plese be Risto ate sien mecustein er a ame site Brion tran nt ae Wr he eetettrabsers 1 tole ten ‘a Hioy altet speaaee nies relate ML Poa geneity hed Aion Riles Renatertti tiie r 3h ea ne : = : sais eae ects Sete aera : Hit cepa han eee * ms Sapieeeh: ob ers eet } eM abate Papas $44 Raita paki eee ¥ ; is 1 peter Dactebatiterhe rab tsER oh er : dint et seeeetn oe ¢ ag rat ie sth arn f Y i { issn ell cabae Rien ips Tat teeth tnt este ist DUET Theis te bing etree Sas beet resee tes sift p gnbthe bes rary yeeever prerelease (Alene bods vere eae’: nen Tei te bee hire [Roe 1 r roaees peg mie en eh Crater irir ace ey? oad raters oe f ‘ Peres Foe rE ela teen Stone z ; ety ream elas we Ca Veer esetarsg vere ryt erty semeag sind tune r4 ri eee eed ener renee obs ms Bu pee toee thet rc. Mia beeees , A petra Oe we ee reer rs eselovecss; hi as Soe td iah etude veers wert et soe or aca sertied qelg Sewers oes isis: aaa a pyre” yeprrteyerey grerverrtres (OU .D59 1907 /FOR THE PEOPLE | FOR EDVCATION | | FOR SCIENCE LIBRARY OF THE AMERICAN MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY ih i Men i ua) Ay at } ine i AF 1 ? ' Vy | My , i | ; j Ay Ps ' q 7 ; Hi ; i ; | ’ Pi 5 t | | Hi | ay F ; : : ; vA ) | ' i i i i) St ae ewe i al ; - 2 WR ah, f THE REPTILES BOOK Nature Books With Colour Plates AMERICAN ANIMALS Witmer Stone and Wm. Everitt Cram AMERICAN Foop anp GAME FIsHEs David Starr Jordan and Barton W. Evermann Birp Homes A. R. Dugmore Birp NEIGHBOURS Neltje Blanchan Game Birps Neltje Blanchan NATURE’s GARDEN Neltje Blanchan THE BuTTERFLY Book Dr. W. J. Holland Tue Froc Boox Mary C. Dickerson Tue Insect Boox Dr. Leland O. Howard THe Moru Boox - Dr. W. J. Holland Tue MusHroom Book Nina L. Marshall THE ReptireE Boox Raymond L. Ditmars THE TREE Boox Julia E. Rogers REPTILE Book lik I found in the MOND RATTLESNAKE o 2 gc ” ey o i ‘ epi Fed aS fa Tee American pois¢ hin half an hour afte T o mM w - fy) 4 VW ecdk0Q.5 ape vy. vve 4 tae REP Tre: BOOK A COMPREHENSIVE, POPULARISED WORK ON THE SERUECTURE AND HABITS OF THE TURTLES, TORTOISES CROCODILIANS, LIZARDS AND SNAKES WEG INEA BIT SEE UNLTED STATES AND NORTHERN MEXICO BY RAYMOND LEE DITMARS Curator of Reptiles in the New York Zoological Park EIGHT PLATES IN COLOUR AND*MORE THAN FOUR HUNDRED PHOTOGRAPHS FROM LIFE NEW YORK DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY 1907 Ja : 7 ee hee , Copyright, 1907, by DOUBLEDAY, PAGE & COMPANY Published, March, 1907 All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages, including the Scandinavian 1@-T0483-June |. Co Wp Wife TO WHOM ALL CREDIT IS DUE FOR PROVIDING ME WITH THAT GREATEST OF REQUISITES THE AMBITION TO ATTEMPT A GREAT TASK, THIS WORK IS DEDICATED YRARET I ah Ve ) WNSEIM MAOT RANMA, LYROTEUE JARUI LL 90 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Iv 1s difficult, in type, to express my sincere appreciation for the hearty assistance I have received, in the preparation of this work. To Director William T. Hornaday, of the New York Zodélog- ical Park, I wish to express my thanks and esteem, for his en- couragement and suggestions. The most pleasant period of my life, has been the seven years past, spent in the ZoGlogical Park in charge of the collection of reptiles. Nowhere else but in a reptile house like that erected by the New York Zodélogical Society, could one find such opportunities to observe reptiles at their best. A number of the photographs are of eee that have been exhibited at the Park. My thanks are also extended to Dr. Leonhard Stejneger, Curator of Reptiles, at the United States National Museum for assistance in the identification of specimens. To Director Arthur Erwin Brown, of the Philadelphia Zodlogical Gardens, | am indebted for much helpful advice. For courtesies that have been valuable in the preparation of this book, I wish to thank Dr. Samuel Garman and Mr. Thomas Barbour, in relation to reptiles at the Museum of Comparative Zoélogy, at Cambridge, Massachusetts. Through the coédpera- tion of these gentlemen, photographs of a number of very rare species were procured. To the following gentlemen I also wish to extend my thanks: Mr. C. S. Brimley, Raleigh, North Carolina; Dr. John Van Denburgh, San Francisco, Calif.; Mr. Herbert Lang, Am. Mus. of Nat. Hist., New York; Mr. Morris Pearsall, New York; Mr. Adam Dove, New York; Mr. Otto Eggling, New York; Mr. Wit- mer Stone, Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia, Pa.; Prof. E. L. Moseley, Sandusky, Ohio. In conclusion | wish to express my obligations to Keepers Charles Snyder and John Toomey, of the Reptile House, in the New York ZoGlogical Park. New York Raymonp L. Ditmars. Vil | Yrenets 1 30 MUBEUG UROIT EMT, PYACTEL JAMA 1 { ‘ 7 ; - ; } j ae? ; i. | i fe (ee! ’ - . f 1 ‘ as ¢ % 2 ra , iw a3 an Bah pic nr : rie y . 7 _ ey. a? : els rg i a ecay' area. ron ful ib * PREFACE IN THE great procession of zodlogical events, we find elab- orate representations of all the branches of animate creation but that of reptiles. Occasionally, a technical work passes before the eager student, but its phraseology and complication fail to attract and it finds its way only to the library of the great institutions where it remains as a reference for a scientific few. The shelves of our libraries groan with masses of literature upon mammals, birds, fishes, insects and the lower forms of life— literature of a kind that may be comprehended by the Great Majority, but the gap—in the scale of classification between the birds and the fishes—has steadily remained unchanged. The descriptions of reptiles in the works of general natural his- tory, excellent though they may be, are mere bird’s-eye views. of a great subject. The works of the technical writers, voluminous enough, are imperatively necessary in the records of Science, but pure science is so far over the head of the average student, that without proper steps to reach it—popularised books—he would never know the reason for which it was created. But one condition can bring about more general knowledge and in- terest in the great Class of Reptiles and that is the special treat- ment of structure and habits in a manner sympathetic to the needs of the Many, who crave to learn. In the present work the writer has sought to compile a popular review of a great fauna—the Reptiles of North America. He has excluded technical phraseology and tried to produce two results: 1. A popular book, that may be comprehended by the beginner and 2—A book valuable in its details to the technical worker. Though some scientists scoff at all lan- guage except that which is obscure to everybody but them- selves, I feel sure that to even that Few, this book will be of interest, for the illustrations alone tell the story. My friend the Camera: Through the several years of prep- aration of this book, my most useful ally has been a camera. 1X Preface All of the illustrations of the reptiles themselves, are photo- graphic; every photograph, of this large series, is an original. The illustrations were procured under the most varied con- ditions, but most of them are exposures of from one to five seconds, and were taken through a ray filter. With the exception of six illustrations* (of turtles), all of the photographs were taken by the writer. My camera has worked hard and faithfully and the details of structure have been fully portrayed, but in a work like this, colour value in the pattern is of great importance, and here the camera has its limitations, though assisted by the ray filter and colour-sensitive plates. A great amount of work was done upon the negatives themselves, and in this, the use of restrain- ing dyes formed an important part; some of the developed plates were put through a half-dozen processes before they passed a satisfactory test. Those illustrations of snakes that are blotched or ringed with scarlet (a difficult problem for the camera) are good examples of the final result. * For these J am indebted to Mr. Herbert Lang. INTRODUCTION THRouGHOUT this work the writer has tried to assist the beginner—yet he feels that he has left out little that will interest the technical worker. He believes that the trend of scientific publications should be more in this direction. Let us consider but one argument, and that in relation to the study of reptiles. Suppose an intelligent farmer, with an inclination for the study of popular natural history, should find a snake upon his lands, and, wishing to find whether it was harmless or poisonous, opens a strictly scientific book, dealing with North American reptiles. What does he find? Elaborate descriptions of anatomical characters, many of these internal, and these descriptions under technical headings, each followed by a long list of synonyms and often a lengthy debate as to the former classification by other scientists than the author; about the only popular words in the description, are the articles “the” and ‘“‘a’’; even the colours are defined in intricate fashion. To this man, such a book is useless. He has no time to master the bewildering, new language he has discovered, so is unable to learn whether the snakes living on his farm are harmless or dangerous, bene- ficial or otherwise. In preparing the descriptions, the writer has excluded com- plicated references to structure. Of these characters, his valu- able assistant, the camera, has described intricate details far better than if such were put in type; in fact, many of the species need little description beyond that of their colours and_ size, as the photograph of the animal and the attendant illustrations of the head (above and from the side) show most of the features of the structure and pattern. Use of scientific names.—The practice of often changing generic names, simply according to the ideas of this or that authority, is very confusing to any but the advanced student and adds to the steadily increasing list of synonyms. The writer has made no attempt to discuss the alleged good-standing of xi Introduction generic names, but has uniformly adopted technical names that have been well established. Thus there will be no lists of synonyms in this book. His policy has been to devote more time in pre- paring a popular presentation of his subject, than to add another, to the many searches for “priority.” Following is an example of a title, and its different parts: PIGMY RATTLESNAKE, a Sistrurus miliarius, (Linn.), b a.—The popular name. b.—The technical name and authority. The parts of the technical or scientific name may be described thus: Sistrurus a. miliarius, b. (Linn.) ¢ a.—The generic name. b.—The specific name. c.—The authority. In strictly scientific writings, the placing of the name of the authority in a parenthesis, signifies that the name of the genus has been changed from that in which the species was placed in the original description. Under the head of scientific names comes another subject. This is discrimination in the recognition of species and sub- species—varieties. In a purely scientific book, those species and varieties that have been rejected as doubtful, or forming mere varietal phases of well-established species, are placed in the list of synonyms, beneath the name; relating to their re- jection is usually an argument, explaining the cause of their exclusion. As this is a subject that will interest the technical herpetologist only, we will pass it with the explanation that such lists have not been treated in this work, and the final result of the writer’s discrimination stands illustrated in the array of those species and varieties (sub-species) that have been recognised. System of measurement.—Nearly every description has a table of measurements; these lists have been prepared in uniform style throughout; most of them stand as average dimensions, taken from a series of specimens. The measurements of the length and width of shells of xii Introduction the turtles, are on a straight line (not following the curve of the shell) and were made with calipers in the fashion shown, in miniature, in the illustration. In procuring the width and length of the head; the width of a lizard’s body or the greatest diameter of a snake’s body, the calipers were necessarily em- ployed. The length of a serpent’s head is from the tip of the snout to the back of the bulge, behind the mouth; by running the finger nail along the neck, near the base of the head, the junction of the jaw-bones may be felt; this is the end of the head. (See illustration). The width of the head, is always the widest part. “Size.” —In the descriptive matter will be found the desig- nations, ‘“‘very small,” “small,” “moderate” and “large.” At the beginning, these sizes should be understood. Any of our fresh-water turtles having a shell 10 to 12 inches long, are designated as large species; a small species has a shell from 2 to 4 inches long. Lizards under 5 inches in length are small; those between 5 and 10 inches long are of moderate size; over 10 inches, they are of large size—for North American lizards. A snake under 14 inches long is small; over 14 inches and up to 34 feet might it be described as of moderate size; serpents over 34 feet long are large among the species em- braced in this work. References to structure.—In a few of the descriptions, con- cise reference has been made to certain parts of the structure; the resulting terms would be confusing without explanation and figures. Turtles —The upper shell is known as the Carapace ; the lower one as the Plastron. For the sake of con- venience, these terms have been frequently used. Lizards.—As some of the species are more readily separated in the keys by using the arrangement of the head shields as distinguishing features, the student should have a general idea of the situation of the more important head-plates in case there be reference to such. (See illustration.) Snakes.—The serpents, being scaled reptiles, fall under much the same form of description as the lizards, and a general idea of the head-plates should be acquired. (See illustration.) xii Introduction With both snakes and lizards the character of the scales of the upper surfaces, is important. The scales may be smooth or keeled (carinated); in the latter case, weakly or heavily keeled. A keeled scale has a distinct, line-like keel running from its base to the tip. Some of the lizards have a very fine, granular scalation above and large, square shields on the abdomen; others have large, keeled scales above and smaller scales on the under-surface. Many have the head plated, like the snakes; others have small scales on the top of the head. Such details of structure are easily understood and largely employed in the descriptions. It should be noted that the body scales of a snake are ar- ranged in symmetrical, oblique rows, from one side of the abdo- men to the other; the abdomen is covered with a single row of broad plates. By counting the scales in one of the rows, on the upper surface, we have another important point to be used in identification. The pupil of the eye of snakes or lizards, may-be round or elliptical: this should be noted. Little more can be said by way of explanation. Preced- ing each Part of the work is a classified list showing the arrange- ment of families, genera and the number of species of North American reptiles in each of the genera. Preceding the de- scription of each list of species of the various genera, is a key to those species. Thus the way is paved, step by step, to assist the beginner. Before examining the succeeding chapters, it is interesting to get a bird’s-eye view of the subject involved. The Class Reptilia is represented in North America by four Orders given below: The CHELon1A—Turtles and Tortoises. The CrocopiL1A—Crocodilians. The LacertiLiA—Lizards. The Opntp1a—Snakes. The total number of North American species of these Orders, is 254. Of these 44 are Chelonians, 2 are Crocodilians, 97 are Lizards and 111 Snakes. XIV CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. ; : : ; : , Vil PRuFACE . : , ; ; . : 1X INTRODUCTION. : . : : : : Xi PARD Tt) HE: TURTEESRAND: TORTOISES Order CHELONIA CHAPTER PAGE I. CLASSIFICATION OF THE NorTH AMERICAN TURTLES AND TORTOISES . 3 I]. THe Sea TurTLEsS; Bamniies Saale and Ghelbnde Largest of the Chelonians. These Strictly Aquatic Reptiles May be Recognised by their Seal-like Flippers 2 : 4 III]. THe SNAPPING ee: Paniily Gheyenae A Small Family, Composed of Three Large and Powerful Species. : : : é 5 WY IV. Tue Musk or Mup Turties; Family Cznosternide The Genera Aromochelys and Cinosternum, Com- posed of Small and Thoroughly Aquatic Species, the Majority Inhabiting North America ; 17 V. Tue Terrapins; The Genera Chrysemys, Malaco- clemmys, and Chelopus. Family Testudinide. A Group of Aquatic Chelonians Known Commonly as Pond Turtles and River Turtles. They are Characterised by their Broad, Flat Shell. Most of the Species are Edible. f . e28 VI. THe Box TurtLes; Genera Emys and Cistudo Turtles with Divided, Hinged Plastrons—Descriptions of the Species—Their Habits . J : 54 VII. Tue Tortoises; Genus Testudo Strictly Terrestrial Chelonians. Represented in North America by Three Species . : ; 7 ekOS XV Contents CHAPTER PASE VIII. THe Sort-sHELLED TuRTLES; Genus Trionyx. Fam- ily Trionychida Strongly Characteristic Chelonians, with a Soft, Leathery Shell. : : : ee PART II: THE CROCODILIANS Order CROCODILIA IX. Tue Crocopitians; Order Crocodilia An Order Represented by Two Species in the United Statés—lThe American Crocodile and _ the Alligator. : : ; : : en o3 PART III: THE LIZARDS Order LACERTILIA X. THe Lizarps Classification of North American Lizards. + 95 XI. THe Geckos; Families Geckonide and Eublepharide A Large Group of Granular-scaled Lizards, Repre- sented by Four Species in North America a CY/ XII. THe AMERICAN CHAMELEON; Genus Anolis The North American Representative of a Large, New World Genus of Lizards that are Re- markable in the Habit of ea eeeee their Colours : 102 XIII. THe IGuanas Large Species that May be Recognised by their Fine Scalation and Spine-like Crest. : 100 XIV. THe GENERA Sauromalus AND Crotaphytus. Fine-scaled Representatives of the /guanida . 5 ith XV. Tue Spotrep Lizarps; ZEBRA-TAILED LIZARDS Small and Strictly Terrestrial Species of the Genera Callisaurus, Uma, and Holbrookia . : . 116 XVI. THe Swirts Two Genera—Uta and Soe aia ee scaled Lizards : 2 : plo? XVI CHAPTER XVII. XVIII. XIX. XX. XXI. XXII. XXIII. XXIV. XXV. Contents THe Hornep Lizarps; Genus Phrynosoma A Genus of Lizards that are Most Cummonly _ Known as the Horned ““Toads”’ ; THE PLATED LIZARDS AND SNAKE-LIKE SPECIES The Families Anguide and Aniellide, Embracing the North American Genera Gerrhonotus— Plated Lizards, Ophisaurus—Glass “Snake” and Aniella—Ground “Snake” THe Beapep Lizarps; Family Helodermatide A Family Composed of but Two Species—The Gila Monster and the Mexican Beaded Lizard— Both of the Genus Heloderma. Descriptions of the Species—Their Habits THe Famity Xantusiide A Small Family of Diminutive Lizards—Five Species Inhabit Southwestern North America THE Stripep LizaArps or “RAcE RUNNERS”; Family Teiz7d@—Genus Cuemidophorus THE Worn-LIKE LIzArpsS The Families Euchirotide and Amphisbenida, Embracing the Most Degenerate of the Liz- ards—Descriptions of the North American Species. ; : : : 5 : THE SKINKS OR SMOOTH-SCALED LizARDs; Family Scincide Small, Glossy-scaled Lizards of a Large Family, Represented in North America by Two Genera and Fifteen Species PART IV: THE SNAKES Order OPHIDIA CLASSIFICATION OF THE NorTH AMERICAN SNAKES THe Buiinp SNAKES; Family Glauconitida, AND Tue Dwarr Boas; Family Borde A Few Northern Representatives of Tropical Families. : XVii PAGE 143 160 190 10) 207 209 Contents CHAPTER XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII. XXIX. XXX. XXXI. XXXII. XXXIII. Tue STRIPED SNAKES—GARTER SNAKES; Genus Eutenia A Genus of North American Snakes that are Noted for their Abundance and the Great Variation of Pattern Among Some of the Species—Key to the Identification of Species —Detailed Descriptions—Keys to the Iden- tification of Varieties—Habits . THE WATER SNAKES; Genus Tropidonotus A Large Genus of Semi-aquatic Serpents that Occur in both the Eastern and Western Hemispheres—Descriptions of the North American Species—Their Habits SMALL, MISCELLANEOUS KEELED-SCALED SER- PENTS; Genera Clonophis, Tropidoclonium, Sem- imatrix, and Liodytes THE BROWN SNAKES Small and Secretive Species, Representing the Genera Storeria, Haldea, Amphiardis, and Virginia . THe Racers; Genera Spilotes and Zamenis Large Non-constricting Serpents, Characterised by their Great Agility THE FLAT-NOSED SNAKES; Genera Salvadora and Phyllorbynchus Unique Serpents of the Southwestern United States and Mexico THE Rat SNAKES oR CoLuBers; Genus Coluber Large and Powerful Constricting Serpents. They are of Considerable Economic Value in Destroying Animals that are Injurious to Agricultural Pursuits Tue Butt SNAKes; Genus Pituophis Large Constricting Snakes that are Closely Allied to the Rat Snakes—Descriptions of the Three North American Species—Their Habits : XVili PAGE 213 241 261 266 274 291 204 315 CHAPTER XXXIV. XXXV. XXXVI. XXXVII. XXXVIII. XXXIX. DV UF XLI. XLII. Contents THE GREEN SNAKES Representatives of the Genera Cyclophis and Liopeltis—Small Serpents that are of a Uniform, Pale Green Above, and thus Characteristic Among North American Snakes : SMALL, MiscELLANEOUS SMOOTH-s -SCALED ) SER: PENTS; Genera Hypsiglena, Stilosoma, Rhadt- nea, and Contia . THE RING-NECKED SNAKES; ‘Genus Diadophis Small, Smooth-scaled Serpents with Char- acteristic Markings THE KiNG SNAKES; Genus Opbibolus Smooth-scaled Constricting Serpents of Small, Medium and Large Size, which Derive the Popular Title from their Habit of Killing and Eating Both Harmless and Venomous Snakes THE RAINBOW SNAKES. Large and Brilliantly Coloured, Burrowing Serpents, of the Genera Abastor and Farancia . , THE SHARP-NOSED SNAKES; Genera Garpho- phis, Ficimia, Chilomeniscus, Cemophora, and Rhinochilus Small, Burrowing Species, with Smooth Scales Tue Hoc-Nosep SNAKES; Genus Heterodon Three North American Species that are Inter- esting from their Peculiar Form and Habits THE OPISTHOGLYPH SNAKES OF F NorTH AMERICA A Division of Mildly Poisonous Serpents, with Grooved Fangs in the Rear of the Upper Jaw—The Many Species Occur in Both the Eastern and the Western Hemispheres Tue Evapine Poisonous SNAKES; Sub-family Elapine A Large Sub-family of the Colubride, Embracing the Old World Cobras and their Allies, xix PAGE 322 Bra 333 339 365 369 377 386 Contents CHAPTER ETE XLIV. XLV. INDEX and the American Coral Snakes—Résumé of the Elapina—Descriptions of the North Amer- ican Species—Their Habits THE VIPERINE SNAKES; Family Viperide The Thick-bodied Poisonous Snakes of the New World—Serpents Distinguished by their Long Fangs, which Fold Against the Roof of the Mouth when it is Closed : : Tue Moccasins; Genus Ancistrodon Descriptions of the Species—Their Habits THE RATTLESNAKES Poisonous Snakes of Two Genera—Sistrurus and ‘Crotalus—That are Unique Among Serpents in the Possession of the Rattle . - - ° - - - xx PAGE 392 403 414 PLATE Mil. XV. XXX. XXXVI. liv. cV. CXVIill. LIST OF COLOUR. PREATES DIAMOND RATTLESNAKE, Crotalus adamanteus. Lar- gest of the North American Poisonous Serpents and Second to Few of the Venomous Snakes of the World in Point of Deadliness . . Frontispiece FACING PAGE EASTERN PAINTED TURTLE, Chrysemys picta WESTERN PAINTED TuRTLE, Chrysemys marginata YELLOW-BELLIED TERRAPIN, Chrysemys scabra CUMBERLAND TERRAPIN, Chrysemys elegans ALLIGATOR, Alligator mississippiensis AMERICAN CROCODILE, Crocodilus americanus CoLLaReD Lizarp, Crotaphytus collaris LeEoparD Lizarb, Crotaphytus wislizenit ; Gita Monster, Heloderma suspectum. The only Poisonous Lizard Inhabiting the United States MILK SNAKE, Ophibolus doliatus triangulus. (New York) . : : : : : SOUTHERN MILK SNAKE, Ophibolus doliatus clericus. (Maryland) . : 3 : : ; ScARLET KING SNAKE, Opbhibolus doliatus coc- cineus. (Florida) HARLEQUIN SNAKE; CoRAL SNAKE, Elaps fulvius SONORAN CorAL SNAKE, Elaps euryxanthus XXi 32 32 40 40 88 88 114 114 172 339 339 339 402 402 vl 1 Vii4 | | rb : we seer! ELISE “OF HALE-TONEMIREUSTRATIONS PARTSE- THE TURTLES AND) TORTOISES Order CHELONIA PLATE FACING PAGE ii. TRUNK TurTLE, Sphargis coriacea. Largest of the Marine Turtles : : 3 6 LoGGERHEAD TURTLE, Thales een. oan ; 6 ii. GREEN TurTLE, Chelonia mydas. Esteemed as an Article of Diet : : : 7 Hawk’s-BILL TurTLE, Chelonia imbricata. Valuable for its “Tortoise Shell” : ; ; 77 iv.. YouUNG LoGGERHEAD TURTLES, Tae cochelys caretla 10 Plastrons of LoGGERHEAD, GREEN, HAwWKk’s-BILL and TRUNK Turtles : 2 : 5. = AKG) v. Eggs of the ArizonA Mup eee! Ganson henrici . : 11 Newly Hatched Musk T URTLES, Aromachelys odovates II Eggs of the Spotrep TurTLe, Chelopus guttatus 11 A Yearling Musk TurTLE, A. carinatus. . 5 ath Very Young Box TurTLe, Cistudocarolina 5 A Young GoPHER Tortoise, Testudo polyphemus . 11 vi. Common SNAPPING TURTLE, Chelydra serpentina . 12 Young SNAPPING TuRTLE, Chelydra serpentina : 12 vil. ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE, Macrochelys lacertina. Reaches a Weight of 140 Pounds. : 13 Head of the ALLIGATOR TURTLE, Macrochelys ceria: Could readily amputate a man’s hand or foot 13 viii. Common Musk TurtLe, Aromochelys odoratus . 5 WD Southern Musk TurTLE, Aromochelys tristycha. 1 PP ix. KEeELED Musk TurtTLes, Aromochelys carinatus > 2B} Common Mup TurtTLe, Cinosternum pennsylvanicum 23 x. LouistANA Mup TurtTLe, Cinosternum louisiane . 26 BANDED Mup TurTLE, Cinosternum bauri . 26 XXlil List of Half-tone Illustrations PLATE Xi. Xlil. XIV. XVil. XVIil. XIX. XX. XXi. XXIl. XXIil. XXIV. XXV. XXVI1. PACING PAGE YELLOW-NECKED Mup TuRTLE, Cinosternum flavescens ArIzoNA Mup TurtTLe, Cinosternum henrict. Lar- gest of the North American Mud Turtles BELL’s TERRAPIN, Chrysemys belli CHICKEN TURTLE, Chrysemys reticulata a Young Specimens of PAINTED TERRAPIN, FLORIDA TERRAPIN, LESUEUR’S TERRAPIN, and Woop and SpoTTED TURTLES : Troost’s TERRAPIN, Chrysemys Doo Sold Gade the General Title of “Sliders” Young of the YELLOW-BELLIED TERRAPIN, Chrys- emys scabra Young FLorIDA TERRAPIN, Gini cies FLoripA TERRAPIN, Adult . : : GeoGRAPHIC TERRAPIN, Malacoclemmys geographica. LesueEur’s TERRAPIN, Malacoclemmys lesueurit DIAMOND-BACK TERRAPIN, Malacoclemmys palustris Woop Tur tLe, Chelopus insculptus. Protected from Capture in New York SpoTreD TurRTLE, Chelopus guttatus MUHLENBERG’S TuRTLE, Chelopus mublenboress BLANDING’S TURTLE; SEMI-BOX TuRTLE, Emys blan- dingit PaINTED Box TurTLE, Cistade ornata Common Box TurRTLE, Cistudo carolina THREE-TOED Box TurTLE, Cistudo triunguts Baur’s Box Tur tLe, Cistudo bauri GorHer Tortoise, Testudo polyphemus Desert Tortoise, Testudo agassizit Plastron of the DEsErT TorToIsE : BERLANDIER’S TORTOISE, J estudo berlandteri . Plastron of BERLANDIER’S TORTOISE Eggs of Trionyx spinifer Head of Trionyx spinifer Front of Carapace, Spiny SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, Trionyx spinifer Young of the SouTHERN SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, Trionyx ferox XX1V 2]. 2] 34 34 PLATE XXVIL. XXViii. XXX: XXX XXXIl. XXXiIil. XXXIV. XXXV. XXXVI. XXXVIII. XXXIX. xe xli. xlii. List of Half-tone Illustrations FACING PAGE SOUTHERN SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, Trionyx ferox BROWN SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, Trionyx muticus SPINY SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, Trionyx spinifer SPINY SOFT-SHELLED TuRTLE, From Beneath PART II: THE CROCODILIANS Order CROCODILIA THE Home oF THE ALLIGATOR. An Inlet of the Savannah River EGcs oF THE ALLIGATOR . PART III: THE LIZARDS Order LACERTILIA MetHops OF MEASURING TURTLES, SNAKES, LIZARDS, AND SERPENTS SCALATION OF THE HEAD. Snake and tiara Reer Gecko, Spherodactylus notatus. The Only True Gecko Found in the United States BANDED GECKO, Eublepharis variegatus AMERICAN CHAMELEON, Anolis carolinensis IGUANA, Cyclura carinata DEseERT IGUANA, Dipsosaurus dorsalis: CHUCKAWALLA, Sauromalus ater . SAND Lizarpb, Uma notata ZEBRA-TAILED Lizarpb, Callisaurus UedeonGiles Spottep Lizarp, Holbrookia maculata STRUCTURAL CHARACTERS OF NorTH AMERICAN LIZARDS BREEDING Hasits oF LizARDS STRUCTURAL CHARACTERS OF NorTH AMERICAN LIzARDS STRUCTURAL CHARACTERS OF Neck AMERICAN LIZARDS STRUCTURAL CHARACTERS OF NorTH AMERICAN LIZARDS XXV ads 77 80 80 81 81 118 119 124 List of Half-tone Illustrations PLATE xliil. xliv. xlv. xl vi. xlvil. xl viii. ln. iii. FACING PAGE STANSBURY’S SwIFT, Ula stansburiana WHITE-BELLIED SwiFT, Uta symmetrica CLARK’s SwiFT, Sceloporus clarkit Common Swirt; Fence Lizarp, Sceloporus undu- latus. Spiny Swirt; Texas Swirt, Scelop- orus spinosus : : : : Paciric Swirt, Sceloporus undulatus occidentalis BANDED SwiFT, Sceloporus undulatus consobrinus WESTERN SwiFtT, Sceloporus biseriaius : ; CoLLaRED Swirt, Sceloporus torquatus poinsettit. The Finest Species of its Genus. Heaps oF Hornep Lizarps, Phrynosoma Doucvass’s Hornep LizArp, Phrynosoma doug- lassit PainteD Hornep LizaArp, P. douglassit orna- tissimum é 3 : : s HERNANDEz’S HorneD- Lizarp, P. douglassii hernandes1 Ditmars’s Hornep Lizarp, Phrynosoma diimarsii . Mexican Hornepb Lizarp, Phrynosoma orbiculare ReGaAL Hornep Lizarp, Phrynosoma regale Paciric HorNeD Lizaro, Phrynosoma coronatum Texas Hornep Lizarp, Phrynosoma cornutum. Commonest and Most Widely Distributed of the Horned Lizards. Asuy Hornep Lizarp, Phrynosoma calidiarum KEELED LizArpb, Gerrhonotus multicarinatus LoNG-TAILED EXAMPLE OF THE KEELED Lizarp, Gerrhonotus multicarinatus Brown Lizarp, Gerrhonotus liocephalus : Kino’s. Lizarp, Gerrhonotus king. The Most Brightly Coloured Member of its Genus. PLatepD Lizarp, Gerrhonotus imbricatus . Grass “SNAKE,” Ophisaurus ventralis XXV1 125 125 125 157 IT. 161 PLATE Ivi. Ivil. Ivili. lix. Ix. Ixi. Ixii. Ixiii. Ixiv. Ixv. Ixvi. xvii. Ixviii. List of Half-tone Illustrations FACING PAGE S1x-LineD LizaArpD; RACERUNNER, Cunemidophorus sexlineatus. The Smallest Species of a Genus Remarkable for the Activity of its Members SpoTTED RACERUNNER, Cnemidophorus — gularis TESSELATED LizARD; WHIP-TAIL, Cnemidophorus tessellaius . : : : Two-FooteED Worm Lizarp, Bipes caniculatus Worm-like and Practically Blind. A Degen- erate Burrowing Lizard FioripA Worm Lizarpb, Rhineura floridana FIvE-LINED SKINK; “ScorPIAN,” Eumeces quin- quelineatus . : : ; : SKILTON’s SKINK, Eumeces skiltonianus FLoRIDA SKINK, Eumeces egregius Grounp Lizarp, Lygosoma laterale PART IV: THE SNAKES Order OPHIDIA Ecos oF NorTH AMERICAN SERPENTS BREEDING HABITS OF SNAKES BREEDING HABITS OF SNAKES. FRESHLY HATCHED EXAMPLES OF OvIPAROUS SERPENTS BREEDING HABITS OF SNAKES BLIND SNAKES Heap oF THREE-LINED Boa, Lichanura trivirgata HEAD AND UNDER Part OF TAIL OF THE RUBBER Boa, Charina botte RusBBeER Boa, Charina botte BREEDING HABITS OF SNAKES Stup1es OF Heaps. Genus Exutenia RIBBON SNAKE, Eutentia saurita SOUTHERN RIBBON SNAKE, Eutenta sackeni WESTERN RIBBON SNAKE, Eutenia proxima PLains GARTER SNAKE, Eutenia radix . BuTLer’s GARTER SNAKE, Eutenia butleri XXVil 188 188 188 189 189 194 104 195 195 List of Half-tone Illustrations PLATE PACING PAGE Ixix. WESTERN GARTER SNAKE, Eutenia elegans . = 228 ONE-STRIPED GARTER SNAKE, Eulenia elegans ; phase infernalis . : : : 228 Ixx. Gray GARTER SNAKE, Eutenia ‘ieiahee vagrans . 229 Marcy’s GARTER SNAKE, Entenia elegans marciana 22 Ixxi. Brown GARTER SNAKE, Eutenia eques ; 236 Phases of the ComMON GARTER SNAKE, Eutienia sirtalis 4 : : . 236 Ixxii. RED-BARRED GARTER SNAKE, Eutenia sirtalis pari- etalis . 237 PICKERING’S GARTER SNAKE, Eutenia siplalis pick- eringit. This is the blackest of the varieties 237 of E. sirtalis SPOTTED GARTER SNAKE, Euleenia Rites a 237 Ixxii. HEADS OF THE WATERSNAKES. Tropidonotus leberis, Ohio. Tropidonotus fasciatus, Florida; Tropi- donotus grahami, Missouri; Tropidonotus tax- ispilotus, Georgia; Tropidonotus rhombifer, Illinois; Tropidonotus validus, Mexico: Semi- natrix pygea, Florida . 2 ; : . 240 Ixxiv. QUEEN SNAKE, Tropidonotus leberis. (Young) . 241 QUEEN SNAKE, Tropidonotus leberis. (Adult) 241 GRAHAM'S WATER SNAKE, Tropidonotus grahami 241 Ixxv. BANDED WATER SNAKE, Tropidonotus fasciatus 244 RED-BELLIED WATER SNAKE, | ropidonotus fasciatus erythrogaster. : : : ; : . 244 Ixxvi. Common WATER SNAKE, Tropidonotus fasciatus sipedon : 245 BLOTCHED WATER SNAKE, ‘Tropidonotus fasciatus transversus . : 245 Ixxvil. FLAT-TAILED WATER SNAKE, Tropidonotus compressi- caudus : : 252 DIAMOND-BACK WATER SNAKE, Tropidonotus rhomb- ifer . : 252 Ixxvill. GREEN WATER Se. Tipp denores Eyelniin 253 BRowNn WATER SNAKE, Tropidonotus taxispilotus. Largest of the North American Water Snakes, 5 Reaching a Length of Five Feet . : e253 XXViil PLATE IXxix. Ixxx. IXXXi. IXXxil. IXXXili. IXXxiv. IXxxv. IXXXVi. IXxXXvii. IXxxviili. IXXxXix. XC. XCl. XCil. XCill. XCiV. List of Half-tone Illustrations FACING PAGE Tue HoME oF THE BLACKSNAKE WHERE THE WATER SNAKES BASK KIRTLAND’S WATER SNAKE, Clonophts jartlanda. STRIPED SWAMP SNAKE, Tropidoclonium lineatum BLACK SWAMP SNAKE, Seminatrix pyg@a ALLEN’S SNAKE, Liodytes allent . : HeEADs oF MISCELLANEOUS SMALL SERPENTS ‘ DeKay’s SNAKE, Storeria dekayt. : : STORER’S SNAKE; RED-BELLIED SNAKE. Storeria occtpitomaculata Brown SnakE, Haldea Tata VALERIA’S SNAKE, Virginia valerie Heaps oF NorTH AMERICAN RACERS Heaps oF NorTH AMERICAN RACERS : INDIGO SNAKE, Sphilotes corais couperi. The Largest Serpent of the Eastern United States, Attaining a Length of 9 Feet Criso, Spilotes corais melanurus YOUNG OF THE CoMMON RACER, Dereon con- strictor ; ; BLACKSNAKE; RACER, atene sricior: Raut —Northern Phase BLACKSNAKE; RACER, Zaments Be op South: ern Phase : Biue Racer, Zaments constrictor ideas entris CoacHWHIP SNAKE, Zaments flagellijormis : STRIPED RACER; WHIP-SNAKE, Zamenis teniatus FLAT-NOSED SNAKE, Salvidora grahamie Fox SNAKE, Coluber vulpinus . HeEAps OF NorTH AMERICAN COLUBERS Pitot BLACKSNAKE, Coluber obsoletus BLoTcHED CHICKEN SNAKE, Coluber oBealehes confinis . : 3 : : : B YELLOW CHICKEN SNAKE; FouR-BANDED CoL- _UBER, Coluber obsoletus quadrivittatus—Adult Eccs oF Four-BANDED COoLUBER, Coluber obso- letus quadriviltatus YOUNG OF THE FOUR-BANDED Goruser XXIX 256 250 257 257 260 260 201 208 268 2600 209 274 ile) 286 286 287 287 290 290 291 291 204 204 295 298 298 209 ADS) 299, List of Half-tone Illustrations PLATE XCV. XCVI. XCVII. XCViil. XCIX. ci. Chik clil. Civ. PACING PAGE Emory’s CoLuper, Coluber emoryi. A Powerful Example of the Useful, Rat-eating Snakes— Genus Coluber Corn SNAKE, Coluber guttatus : SMOOTH-SCALED COLUBER, Rhinechts elegans HEADS OF SMOOTH-SCALED COLUBER, Rbhinechis elegans, Arizona PINE SNAKE, Pituophis melanoleucus, New Jersey Phase. PINE SNAKE, Pituophis melanoleucus. Florida Phase. BuLt SNAKE, Piluophis catenifer. California. Common PINE SNAKE, Pituophis melanoleucus PINE SNAKE, Pituophis melanoleucus—Southern Phase Common Bu Lt SNAKE, Piluophis say1. Largest of the North American Serpents. Paciric BULL SNAKE, Pituophis catenifer KEELED GREEN SNAKE, Cyclophis @estivus SMOOTH-SCALED GREEN SNAKE, Liopeltis Cemalss Rock SNAKE, Hypsziglena ochrorhyncha PaciFic BROWN SNAKE, Contia nutis ; EASTERN RING-NECKED SNAKE, Diadophis punctatus WESTERN RING-NECKED SNAKE, Diadopnis amabilis Heaps oF MILK SNAKE, Ophibolus doliatus triangulus, New York Rep MILk SNAKE, O. d. clericus, Virginia BROWN Kina SNAKE, O. Sie nen Virginia Common KING SNAKE, 0. “apis Florida : BoyLe’s KinGc Snake, O. getulus boylii, Cali- fornia. : ARIZONA KING SNAKE, O. jonatus, Arizona ; Brown KinG SNAKE, Ophibolus rhombomaculatus. (Young Adult) Brown KiNG SNAKE, Ophibolus rigTbemBnala bs 9,05 300 301 301 304 304 304 304 305 305 320 . 320 321 321 322 322 323 B23 334 334 334 334 334 334 335 335 PLATE CVi. CVil. CVill. cix. CX. CX1. CXii. CXiil. CXIV. CXS CXVI. CXVil. GXix. Cx CXXi. List of Half-tone Illustrations PACING PAGE RINGED SNAKE, Ophibolus doliatus oe From Nebraska. Mexican RINGED SNAKE, Opbibolus “ micropholis (Old Example). Adult Examples are a Rich, Golden-brown, with Obscure, Darker Brown Blotches. The Food Consists Mostly of Small Birds and Rodents ae ; : ARIZONA KING SNAKE; RINGED SNAKE, Ophibolus gonatus. From Arizona ARIZONA RINGED SNAKE; KING SNAKE, Ophibolus gonatus. From California Say’s KING SNAKE, Ophibolus Petia sayt ComMoN KING SNAKE; CHAIN SNAKE, Ophibolus get- ulus. A notoriously cannibalistic reptile BoyLe’s KING SNAKE, Ophibolus getulus boylit Heaps oF MiscELLANEOUS HARMLESS SERPENTS RAINBOW SNAKE, Abastor erythrogrammus RED-BELLIED SNAKE, Farancia abacura . WorM SNAKE, Carphophis amenus SCARLET SNAKE, Cemophora coccinea LeEConTE’s SNAKE, Rhinochilus lecontet HEADs OF THE HoG-NosED SNAKES Common Hoc-NoseD SNAKE, Heterodon platyrbinus BLAcK HoG-NosEDSNAKE, Heterodon platyrhinus niger SOUTHERN Hoc-NosED SNAKE, Heterodon simus WESTERN HOG-NOSED SNAKE, Heterodon nasicus CROWNED SNAKE, J auntilla coronata MITER SNAKE, J antilla gracilis ANNULATED SNAKE, Sibon sepientrionale HEAD oF HARLEQUIN SNAKE, Elaps fulvius HEAD OF SONORA CorRAL SNAKE, E. euryxanthus HEaDs OF SERPENTS HEAD oF RATTLESNAKE SKULL OF A Pit VIPER, SHOWING DEVELOPING FANcs COPPERHEAD SNAKE, Ancistrodon contortrix—(Com- mon Phase) ; COPPERHEAD SNAKE, Ancistrodon Py rine (leva Phase) XXXI 340 340 List of Half-tone Illustrations PLATE CXXIl. CXXIil. CXXIV. CXXV. CXXVI. CXXVil. CXXVIli. CXXIX. CXXX. CXXXI. CXXXii. CXXXiii. CXXXIV. CXXXV. CXXXVi. PACING PAGE HeEAps oF CopPpERHEAD SNAKE AND WATER Moc- cASIN. From Top and Side WATER Moccasin; ‘“CoTTON-MOUTH” SNAKE, An- cistrodon piscivorus A CopPERHEAD “DEN” : : P : Home oF THE WATER Moccasin. A Bayou in the Georgia Lowgrounds : PLates UNDER TAILS OF POISONOUS AND rere LESS SNAKES DIFFERENT STAGES OF THE RAtrLe LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF THE RATTLE Heaps or Dwarr RATTLESNAKES PicmMy RATTLESNAKE, Sistrurus miliarius MASSASAUGA, Sisirurus catenatus A RATTLESNAKE “DEN” A Haunt OF THE DIAMOND RATILEEN NAKE : TIMBER RATTLESNAKE AND NEWLY BORN ree Heaps oF NortTH AMERICAN RATTLESNAKES Heaps oF NorTH AMERICAN RATTLESNAKES TimBerR RATTLESNAKE, Crotalus horridus. Yellow Phase : TIMBER Rica ceNAKEt Ghote Hens Black Phase WESTERN DIAMOND Reieneenniees Crass atrox Rep DIAMOND RATTLESNAKE, Crotalus atrox ruber : : F 5 MounTAIN DIAMOND RATTLESNAKE, Crotalus atrox —Phase scutulatus : ' : E BLACK-TAILED RATTLESNAKE, Crotalus molossus PRAIRIE RATTLESNAKE, Crotalus confluentus . PaciFic RATTLESNAKE, Crotalus oregonus Hornep RATTLESNAKE, Crotalus cerastes HEAD OF THE HoRNED RATTLESNAKE GREEN RATTLESNAKE, Crotalus lepidus Price’s RATTLESNAKE, Crotalus pricet XXXii 419 419 422 452 452 453 453 460 460 401 401 PARTE THE TURTLES ANDEMORTOISES: Order CHELONIA CHAPTER I: CLASSIFICATION OF THF NORTH AMERICAN TORTOISES AND TURTLES THE North American Chelonia is composed of Tortoises, Turtles and Terrapins. The two latter names are employed rather indiscriminately in different portions of this country, but the appellation—Terrapin, is generally applied to the hard- shelled, fresh-water species that are edible and consequently have a market value. The Tortoises are strictly terrestrial Chelonians, Following is a classified arrangement of the families and genera: Order CHELONIA NortTH SUBORDER FaMILy GENUS AMERICAN SPECIES SPHARGIDAE Sphargis ......... 1 Species Marine Athec P bag t (Leather Turtles) ( CHES BRD Chelydrave ser: I “ Fresh-water (eee Pies Macrochelys...... I WY ss Cinosternum..... 6 a He CINOSTERNIDAE Aromochelys ..... : 2 (tical ot Maartastesy (1 ees 3 Chrysemys........ sy sf oe Malacoclemmys.. 6 - Fresh ; brack Thecophora 4 TestuDINIDE aiet ba Os oe é yo nea - (Presh-water Turtles; || (Cy studoqenence: 5‘ Terrestrial the Tortoises) (\Mestudoxecmencen: yy Ok ce { Chelonia ......... 2 ““ Marine rieeiese f Thalassochelys... 2 ot cs ec. TRIONYCHID£& LHAONYH ois ciniere.0is» 4 “« Fresh-water (Soft-shelled Turtles) | Total number of Species: 44. CHAPTER If: THESSEASTURTLES Largest of the Chelonians. These Strictly Aquatic Reptiles may be Recognised by their Seal-like Flippers All of the tropical and semi-tropical seas of the globe are inhabited by huge turtles, but with this great distribution, we find a peculiar condition relating to the number of species. Over these vast stretches of ocean, stupenduously rich in their variety of life—invertebrates, fishes, a large number of marine serpents, innumerable birds and many mammals—the chelonians are limited to five species; with the exception of one, each spe- cies Occurs in the warmer waters of both the Old and the New World; thus a list of the North American reptiles must include those marine turtles that are found in the vicinity of our coasts. While normally inhabiting the waters of the warmer lati- tudes, the sea turtles are often enticed northward, along our eastern coast, by the mild currents of the Gulf Stream; during the mid-summer months they enter the northern harbours and live comfortably enough, but during the approach of cold weather these wanderers become chilled and stupefied, and fall an easy prey to fishermen. Benumbed during the fall hurricanes, they are battered and cast lifeless upon the beaches of Long Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts, and by the very storms that originated over their native seas. Most of the big Leather- back Turtles in our northern museums, have met a fate like this. Classification.—The marine turtles are divided into two families. From a standpoint of relationship, these families are widely separated; the classified list of the families and genera of North American turtles and tortoises, in the preceding pages, will show the proper standing of these reptiles. The Leather-back Turtle, (Sphargis), seems to be the survivor of an extinct group, and must be placed in a family by itself, while the Loggerheads, the Green Turtle and the 4 The Sea Turtles Hawk’s-bill Turtle are examples of evolution from the modern, fresh-water chelonians; development along the line of adaptation to a strictly marine life has produced a highly spe- cialised form, but the shielded carapace and plastron, and other parts of the structure, show close relationship with the Tes- tudinide. Thus the student will appreciate that the family Sphargide—one species, and the Chelonide—four species, are not alone widely separated in classification, but appeal to one an- other only in a form that is essential to the life the species lead. With this understood, it is not inappropriate to embrace all the sea turtles in a chapter by themselves. This arrangement popularises the subject and makes it possible to construct a general key. KEY TOTHE SEA TURTLES General: Limbs long, flat and paddle-like—Flippers. A. Carapace with seven, heavy keels, running length- wise; covered with a leathery integument in place of shields. Uniform dark brown, or black. LEATHER-BACK TURTLE}; TRUNK TURTLE, Sphargis coriacea. B. Carapace covered with smooth shields, which do not overlap. *Front flippers with two claws. Head very large. Carapace uniform brown or black. Alveolar (crushing) surfaces of jaws without ridges— under horny sheaths. LOGGERHEAD TURTLE, T halassochelys caretta. Head very large. Carapace dark brown or black. Al- veolar (crushing) surfaces of jaws with ridges—under horny sheaths. KEMP’S LOGGERHEAD TURTLE, I halassochelys kempit. **Front flippers with one claw. Head of moderate size. Carapace olive or brown, mottled with yellow. GREEN TURTLE, Chelonia mydas. C. Carapace covered with smooth, loosely-overlapping shields. Upper mandible beak-like. Carapace brown or black, mottled with yellow. HAWK’S-BILL TURTLE, Chelonia imbricata. 5 The Sea Turtles The Family Sphargida.—Composed of a single genus and one species—the largest of the chelonians, which attains a weight of 1,000 pounds. THE LEATHERBACK TURTLE; TRUNK TURTLE; HARP TURTEE UGH Sphargis cortacea, (Linn.) Told from the other sea turtles taken off our coasts, by the heavy, ridge-like processes, seven in number, running lengthwise on the carapace. Instead of the horny shields usually present on turtles, the carapace is covered with a leathery integument; on large individuals, this soft covering is fully an inch in thick- ness and saturated with oil, like whale blubber. The front flippers are enormous; like the rear pair and the head, they lack the coarse plates of the other marine turtles. Colouration.—Dark brown, generally uniform, but some- times spotted with yellow. Very large individuals are often blackish. Dimensions.—The Leather-back Turtle is the largest of living chelonians. Following are the measurements of a fine example received at the American Museum of Natural History; it was harpooned, while floundering, in a benumbed condition, off the beach of New London, Connecticut: Total length, snout to end of tail .......... 6 feet Kensth’of(Garapace 2a eee 5 “1 inch WidthiofiGarapace’-.- shee eae eee 2ie8 (oles Width/of-Front Flipper: \. tse eee if ag Stretch of Front Flippers, tip to tip... ..... oO & Diameter ofjtlead 2 aes eee eee TOme) Sts i eemiaacints Hog doclyau ds oxo0 se 715 pounds. Distribution.—Generally distributed in tropical and semi- tropical seas, but nowhere common; an accidental wanderer to the temperate coasts. Habits.—Approaching the beaches only to deposit its eggs, this sea giant does not seem to-differ in its habits from the other marine turtles. It apparently subsists upon sea-weeds, crus- taceans, molluscs, and fishes—if it is able to catch the latter. Agassiz explains that it breeds every year, in the spring, on the Tortugas, the Bahamas and along the Brazilian coast. In 6 Tue Reptire Boox Prate IT TRUNK TURTLE, Sphargis coriacea Largest of the marine turtles. _It attains a weight of 1,002 pounds. The shell is covered with a leathery integument Occurs sparingly in all tropical and semi-tropical seas “yl ae a LOGGERHEAD TURTLE, Thalassochelys caretta Sometimes confused with the Green Turtle, but distinguished by the proportionately much larger head. Its flesh is of considerable less value than that of the other species. Found in all of the warmer seas Tue Reptite Book Prate II + GREEN TURTLE, Chelonia mydas Esteemed as an article of diet and well known in the market Receives its name from the greenish hue of the fat. Large examples weigh 800 pounc lr bits all the warmer seas v ] — HAWK’S-BILL TURTLE, Chelonia imbricata From this species is obtained the valuable ‘tortoise shell » Jt is the smallest of the marine turtles. Found in the warm seas of both hemispheres. Easily recognised by the overlapping shields The Sea Turtles swimming it is very graceful and the massive flippers are em- ployed in seal-like fashion. The Family Chelonide: Composed of two genera, each containing two species. Detailed descriptions follow: THE LOGGERHEAD TURTLE Thalassochelys caretta, (Linn.) Carapace thick and heavy, covered with large, smooth shields, as is the plastron. Head very large, plated; flippers plated, the front pair usually with two nails. The Loggerhead might possibly be confused with the Green Turtle, owing to the similarity of the shells, but the larger head of the former, the two nails on the front flipper and the almost uniform hue of the carapace, are strong characteristics. Colouration.—Carapace dull, uniform brown; plastron dull yellow. Dimensions.—The largest example examined by the writer had a carapace 3 feet, 2 inches long; the animal tipped the scales at 303 pounds. Records of larger specimens are not rare. Distribution.—Tropical and semi-tropical seas of both hemispheres; an accidental wanderer along the Northern coasts. Habits—Many of these turtles lay their eggs along the Florida coast. The female scoops a hole in the sand, deposits the eggs therein and shovels the sand back over them; she then retires to the sea, paying no more attention to them. These are the only times—in May and early in June, along our shores —that the adult turtle leaves the water; the eggs are deposited above tide-line. Six to eight weeks cover the period of incuba- tion, and as the young turtles hatch they.at once seek the water. Their progress is seldom toward the open sea, for they have little power to battle with the surf. They seek shallow inlets and here find partial protection from their many enemies in the shape of the larger fish and the sea birds. While very young, their flippers are wing-like in motions; as the young reptile tires they are folded against the upper portion of the carapace, in much the same manner as a bird tucks back its wings. (See accompanying illustration). The number of eggs deposited is enormous; it varies from fifty to a thousand, according to the size and the age of the female. 7 The Sea Turtles Commercially, the Loggerhead is of much less value than the Green Turtle, yet it is often seen in the markets. A steak from one of these creatures looks much like beef. KEMP’S LOGGERHEAD TURTLE Thalassochelys kempit, (Garman) Structurally, this turtle is explained to differ from the preceding by the presence of ridges on the alveolar (crushing) surfaces of the jaws (beneath the horny coverings), which de- velopment closely approaches that of the Hawk’s-bill Turtle; the bony, alveolar processes do not overlap the inner nostrils. Distribution.—Recorded from the Gulf of Mexico. THE GREEN TURTLE Chelonia mydas, (Linn.) Very large examples weigh 500 pounds, but such are rare. Head proportionately much smaller than that of the Logger- head Turtle. Carapace with smooth shields—polished on old individuals. Head and limbs plated. Front flippers usually with a single claw. Colouration.—Carapace pale olive, richly marbled with yellow; the markings are often in the shape of bands, radiating from the centres of the shields. Plastron yellow. Head plates dull brown or olive, vividly margined with white. This attractive animal derives its name from the greenish colour of the fat; the markings somewhat resemble those of the Hawk’s-bill Turtle, but that animal is unique in the shingle- like arrangement of the shields of the carapace. Dimensions.—A very large individual will have a carapace four feet long and will weigh about 500 pounds. This is much in excess of the thousands of turtles sent to the markets; such range in weight from 50 to 70 pounds; occasional hundred- pound specimens are seen in the rows of helpless animals turned upon their backs. Distribution.—Tropical and semi-tropical seas throughout the world; a frequent wanderer into the waters along our Northern coasts. Habits —The practice, in the markets, of turning these animals over on their backs, is a necessary one. As the turtle 8 The Sea Turtles is adapted to a life in the water, the plastron is soft and unsup- ported; when placed upon it, the weight of the reptile so presses against the under shell that it is forced against the lungs and other internal organs; the turtle soon dies from an inability to breathe. From a lot of turtles that had been shipped north and were lying upon their backs for fully a week, the writer selected a specimen weighing forty-five pounds and placed it in a large tank containing manufactured salt water—enough salt added to fresh water to give it a brackish taste. On the second day in the tank the turtle began feeding, greedily taking large pieces of raw fish; it also ate the commoner kinds of sea-weed. Under these conditions it lived for nearly two years and would have thrived longer had it not been attacked by a small crocodile. The tank was ten feet long and eight feet wide and the animal swam about freely and gracefully; its deliberate motions, slow turns, the occasional stroke of the flippers and slow, gliding progress, were movements strikingly suggestive of the leisurely flight of a hawk or a turkey buzzard. The reptile seldom crawled upon the bottom of the tank, but skimmed over the gravel by a few inches; occasionally it came to the top, when it would expel the air in its lungs with a sharp hiss; the intake of air was more leisurely. Of the sea turtles, the flesh of this species is most esteemed. The shell is smooth, brightly marked and attractive, but of practically no commercial value. THE HAWK’S-BILL TURTLE Chelonia imbricata, (Linn.) Distinguished from the other sea turtles by the loosely- overlapping (imbricate) shields of the carapace. The structure of the shields on the plastron is like that of the Green Turtle. Head, limbs and flippers covered with shields; head elongated, the upper mandible terminating in a pronounced hook or beak— hence the popular name. (See accompanying illustration.) Two claws on each front flipper. Colouration.—Carapace dark brown or black, richly marbled with yellow; plastron yellow. Shields of the head and limbs dark brown or black, margined with yellow. 9 The Sea Turtles Dimensions.—Smallest of the sea turtles. The carapace of a very large animal will measure about two and a half feet in length; few examples of that length are captured nowadays. Habits.—Unlike its near ally, the Green Turtle, the present reptile is apparently carnivorous, living upon fish, crustaceans and molluscs. Like all of the marine chelonians, it lays its eggs on sandy beaches, above tide-line. ; It is from this sea turtle only, that the valuable “tortoise- shell”’ of commerce is obtained; this is the clear, horny substance, in the shape of shields, covering the bony carapace. 10 Tue Reptite Boor PiaTeE IV YOUNG LOGGERHEAD TURTLES, Thalassochelys caretta Very young sea turtles often seek shallow inlets to escape their many enemies. In such places they are sometimes very numerous PLASTRON OF TRUNK TURTLI PLASTRON OF LOGGERHEAD TURTLE, Sphargis coriacea Thalassochelvs caretta PLASTRON OF GREEN TURTLE, PLASTRON OF HAWK’S-BILL TURTLE, Chelonia mydas Chelonia imbricata Tue Reptire Boox PLATE V Hugo Ee bidada a | ‘ EGGS OF THE ARIZONA MUD TURTLI NEWLY HATCHED MUSK TURTLES, {romochelys odoratu Cinosternum henrici EGGS OF THE SPOTTED TURTLI &. YEARLING MUSK TURTLE, A. carinatus Chelopus gullatus The back is very high es ee Pe hi i paininhheitietegnans cerita ~~ A YOUNG GOPHER TORTOISE, Testudo polyphemus VERY YOUNG BOX TURTLE, Cistudo carolina r 1 The sharply delineated concentric grooves show a rapid growth There is a very strong keel YOUNG TURTLES AND TORTOISES CHAPTER III: THE SNAPPING TURTLES FAMILY CHELYDRID@ A Small Family, Composed of Three Large and Powerful Species Classification—Of the three species composing the family Chelydride, two inhabit North America. The family is divided into two genera, Chelydra and Macrochelys. One species of the former is widely distributed and abundant in the United States and ranges southward to Ecuador; the other species inhabits Mexico and Guatemala. The single species of Macrochelys is confined to the Southern United States. General characters —Yhe Snapping Turtles are the largest of the fresh-water chelonians inhabiting the United States. Their general form is well known. The dull, rough carapace, with its heavy keels and marginal serrations, the proportionately huge and sinister head, and the long, fleshy tail, with its alligator- like crest combine to make these turtles unique. The plastron is insignificantly small and narrow and affords comparatively no protection—but these big turtles do not seek to withdraw the head and limbs like their smaller and weaker relations. They are bold and aggressive fighters and their massive, keen- edged jaws cause them to be the terror of most of the aquatic and semi-aquatic creatures. The Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina), though larger than any other species of North American turtle, except its near ally, is dwarfed by the comparison of the latter species— the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Marcochelys lacertina). Adult specimens of this enormous, fresh-water turtle attain a weight of 130 and 140 pounds. The genera may be defined, thus: Under surface of tail with large shields. ... Chelydra. Under surface of tail with large scales. . . Macrochelys. Besides these characters the following points may be em- ployed in separating the two species inhabiting the United States: It The Snapping Turtles a. Three moderate keels on the carapace. Colour.—Very dark olive, or dark brown. COMMON SNAPPING TURTLE, Chelydra serpentina. Distribution.—North America east of the Rockies; southward to Ecuador. b. Three very high keels on the carapace. Colour.—Pale brown or yellowish. ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE, Macrochelys lacertina. Distribution.—Rivers emptying in the Gulf of Mexico—Florida to Texas; northward to Missouri. The Snapping Turtles are herewith considered in detail: THE COMMON SNAPPING TURTLE Chelydra_ serpentina, (Linn.) Large specimens will weigh about forty pounds and such would have a carapace about fourteen inches long. The carapace is very sharply serrated in the rear. There are three blunt, broken keels, rising as tubercles at the rear margins of the shields through which they pass. The carapace of old individuals is quite smooth. With young specimens there are radiating lines or ridges from the higher portions of the keels. Very young specimens are exceedingly rough. See Fig.—The plastron is small and narrow, exposing a great amount of the fleshy parts. The under-surface of the tail is covered with large shields. As with all of the very aquatic chelonians the feet are broad and extensively webbed. Both front and rear pairs are pro- vided with large and coarse nails. Most characteristic about this, and the allied species, is the huge, powerful head; the upper and lower mandibles ter- minate in strong hooks. Though the eyes are comparatively small, they are very keen of vision. The head cannot be com- pletely withdrawn into the shell, nor can the tail—nearly as long as the upper shell—be protected beyond folding against the lower margin of the shell. Colouration.—Carapace, dull olive or dark brown, with little or no markings; plastron dull yellow. The upper portion of the head is very dark as is the upper-surface of the limbs and tail; beneath, these members are yellowish. I2 Tue Rertite Boox Plate VI COMMON SNAPPING TURTLE, Chelydra ser pentina Large examples weigh about go pounds. A vicious species, capable of intlcting severe wounds. Found from southern Canada to Ecuador YOUNG SNAPPING TURTLES, Chelydra serpentina Very young examples are grotesque in having an exceedingly rough shell Tne Repti Boox Puate VII ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE, Macrochelys lacertina Distinguished from the common snapping turtle by the absence of broad plates under the tail, the yellowish colour, and much larger size. Reaches a weight of 140 pounds. Inhabits rivers emptying into the Gulf of Mexico HEAD OF THE ALLIGATOR TURTLE, Macrochelys lacertina The jaws of a large specimen could readily amputate a man’s hand or foot The Snapping Turtles Dimensions.—The figures given represent a fair-sized adult: Total length, with Tail and Head outstretched 28 inches. BengthyotaCarapace:.4 acer ts is te ae 12 WidthvofGarapace -i5 2. 5.2 9Ge. Ai), 4e. uae. lof; ¢ Benothvofsblastron’;)-j.;.. cased oe acie: | 83 Werrerthqof altar. enc. toy eee ares aie seated II $s Gireumferenceiof Head: <7 ise ss.- 5... 10 e NUTONE I Gis Sia ee Reger cic a 32 pounds. Distribution.—Southern Canada and the United States generally east of the Rocky Mountains; southward through Mexico to Ecuador. Habits of the Snapping Turtle Sinister in appearance and equally vicious as its looks imply, the Snapping Turtle is one of the most familiar of the North American reptiles. It inhabits slow-running, muddy rivers and streams, ponds and marshes. Very old specimens are some- times so bloated and overburdened with fat that the fleshy parts protrude beyond the margin of the shell and so hinder the progress of the limbs that the reptile is almost helpless when removed from the water. Specimens in this condition are said to be excellent as food. Large numbers of snapping turtles are sold in the markets of Philadelphia and Baltimore. They fetch about ten cents per pound. With the exception of the soft-shelled turtles—genus Trionyx, the Snapping Turtles are rather unique among chelonians, in defending themselves in a like fashion to snakes; namely by “striking”? at. the object of anger. The rapidity with which the head is lurched forward rivals the dexterity of the rattle- snake. So quick is the movement that the eye is barely able to follow it. Backed up by a pair of keen-edged, cutting man- dibles and jaw muscles of tremendous power, the stroke of these dangerous brutes may be followed by anything but superficial injury. The amputation of a finger by a medium-sized specimen, or a hand by a very large individual would be an accomplish- ment of no difficulty to the reptile. As in their native state these turtles lie partially embedded in the mud of the river- bottom, the rapid movements of the head and neck are important in the capture of fish which form the larger portion of the food. But the Snapping Turtle is an exceedingly voracious brute, T3 The Snapping Turtles and is not particular as to its fare. Young water fowl are stalked from beneath the surface, seized by a dart of the jaws and pulled below to drown and be quickly torn to pieces by the keen man- dibles assisted by the front limbs. The turtle is entirely car- nivorous. It never feeds unless under water, but it will some- times seize its prey on the bank of a stream, then retreat into the necessary element. To keep one of these reptiles in water so shallow that it is unable to entirely immerse its head and supply it regularly with the most tempting food, would ulti- mately result in its starvation. It appears that the reptile is unable to swallow unless the head is under water. As a captive the Snapping Turtle feeds readily and lives for many years. It will take food from the hand that feeds it, but most specimens resent undue familiarity and snap viciously when handled. The safest way to handle a large specimen is to pick it up by the tail and hold it well off from one’s body. As the animal is able to throw the head well back over the shell and to strike a considerable distance sideways, it is altogether dangerous to hold a large specimen by the shell. Small indi- viduals may be safely handled by grasping them by the rear por- tion of the shell, which position removes the fingers from the play of the jaws. In the early summer, the female leaves the pond or stream so persistently haunted at all other times and prowls about for a place to deposit her eggs. She often wanders many feet from the water and, selecting a damp spot, scoops away the earth to form a hollow into which she crawls and moves about until the loose soil falls back over her. Thus she is hidden until the eggs are deposited and to the number of about two dozen. As she crawls forth the shell is reared to a sharp degree and the earth that has fallen upon it is left covering the eggs. They are perfectly round, white and with a thin, hard shell. As the Snapping Turtle is persistently aquatic the shells of many specimens become coated with moss. As they lie partially buried in the mud, in shallow water, they look much like flat stones. In such places they remain for hours, poking the ex- treme tip of the snout from the water to breathe. They are able to remain for long periods entirely submerged and will dive to the deepest portions of rivers where they prowl along the bottom in search of food. 14 The Snapping Turtles THE ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE Macrochelys lacertina, (Schweigger) Attains a maximum weight of about 140 pounds and a length of shell of about 28 inches. General structural characters much like the preceding species, but differing as follows: 1. There are no large shields under the tail, but in their place, small, rounded scales. 2. The presence of additional marginal shields (supramar- ginals). 3. The much higher keels on the carapace. Colouration.—Carapace, head and limbs, pale brown, or yellowish. The plastron is of a similar, though paler hue. Dimensions——The measurements relate to a specimen captured in the Mississippi River: enothioiiGarapaces ya arlene re ke 25 inches. Widtheotpe go 992 eer ere rr secre, 20 = ensthkofeblastrones tear er 162“ Gircumperencetojald cad. A eee eee 2Ay Bensthtofpiliailt ccs <3 see oer: sce 2d ea ALIA SSE og MSRM nec lene) Soclore Sar 115 pounds. Distribution—Rivers emptying into the Gulf of Mexico, from western Texas to western Florida. The species ranges northward to Missouri. Common in the Mississippi River. Habits —This giant among fresh-water reptiles, is but a magnified duplication of the common snapping turtle, both in looks and actions. Its pale brown hues well match the muddy waters it inhabits. With its colours in perfect harmony, it lies motionless on the soft bottom, ready to seize, with a lightning- like dart the unsuspicious fish that comes its way. While thus resting it is able to entice its prey by a remarkable appendage attached to the inside of the lower jaw, close to the region of the tongue. This is a well-developed filament of flesh, white and distinct from the yellowish mouth-parts and resembling a large grub to such a degree of nicety that the popular-minded observer, seeing the object in the reptile’s mouth would declare it to be the larva of some insect. More striking, however, is the reptile’s power to keep this appendage in motion, giving it the aspect of crawling about in a small, circular course. 15 The Snapping Turtles With the mud-coloured shell lying close to the bottom, the jaws thrown open to a great extent, this organ is put in motion. Every other portion of the creature is as motionless as a rock. In this position of rigidity the shell looks like a great, round stone and blotches of fine, waving moss intensify the deception; the big head looks like another stone, beneath which there is a cavern and in this cavern crawls the white grub, to all ap- pearances an object dear to the hearts of finny wanderers. But woe to the luckless fish that swims within reach of those yawn- ing jaws! The strength of the Alligator Turtle is enormous. The specimen from which the measurements were taken upon being teased with the end of a broomstick, actually severed three inches from the end of this substantial material. A fair-sized shad was given the turtle every three days. Slowly crawling toward the food it would snap off a large section and swallow it with a gulp. The piece taken out of the fish was as sharply defined and quickly removed as if cut with a die. The entire fish was thus consumed, in clean-cut sections. Captive specimens are shy and feed sparingly unless pro- vided with means to hide. The specimen described was content to hide under a raft of small logs, tied to one corner of the tank and under which it lay for the great part of its time, occasionally protruding the tip of the nose from the water. Among other turtles (Chrysemys) and a number of half-grown alligators it was perfectly friendly, a disposition which the writer can credit to other captive specimens of this turtle and the common snapping turtle as well. 16 CHAPTER IV: THE MUSK OR MUD TURTLES FAMILY CINOSTERNID The Genera AROMOCHELYS and CINOSTERNUM, Composed of Small and Thoroughly Aquatic Species, the Majority In- habiting North America At of the species of the small family Cinosternide, bear a general resemblance to one another. They are of small size— few attaining a length of five inches. The upper shell is bluntly Oval in outline, rounded above, and possesses no trace of the flaring edge, or scolloped border as does the shell of typical pond and river turtles. It might be said that the carapace of these turtles looks like a smooth, flat stone. The under shell— plastron—is a distinguishing character. It is composed of a broad, rigid bridge, and two hinged, movable lobes, that may be drawn up against the carapace—slightly so with Aromochelys, but to such an extent with Cznosternum, that the species of the latter genus have sometimes been called “box turtles,’ an ap- pellation which rightly belongs, however, to a genus of strictly terrestrial turtles (Czstudo).* Classification and Distribution—But two genera constitute this family. Aromochelys appears to be represented by three species, all of which occur in eastern North America. The larger genus, Cinosternum, comprises about eleven species, six of which inhabit the United States and northern Mexico; one occurs in Mexico generally except the northern portion, three in Central America, and one in northern Brazil and the Guianas. The structural differences of these species are but slight, and in technical nomenclature described principally from the shape of the shields forming the plastron. The greater number of the species of both genera display much the same colouration of the upper and lower shells. Some slight characters are exhibited * With Cistudo, there is no rigid bridge. The plastron is attached to the upper shell by a cartilaginous joint. It is divided by a central hinge —front and rear portions closing tightly against the carapace. 17 The Musk or Mud Turtles in the markings of the head. Generally speaking, it must be explained that many of the species are very difficult to determine. As a large series of specimens demonstrate that the characters of the plastron are subject to considerable variations, it is pos- sible that the present number of species will be condensed, after further investigations. The student is advised to carefully examine the plastrons (lower shells) of the species figured and to become familiar with the distribution of these turtles. By working in this fashion the determination of specimens is rendered systematic and the detailed descriptions will impart their references in a thoroughly comprehensive manner. All of the Cinosternid@ are thoroughly aquatic, frequenting slow-running streams or muddy rivers, from which they seldom venture. In such places they are admirably protected by their dull, mud-coloured shells, which are often. coated with moss. These turtles exude a strong and musky odor when annoyed. .They are much disliked by persons who fish in fresh-water, as they will greedily take a hook and perform such antics in the water that the sportsman is often lead to anticipate that he has captured a fish of prodigious size. When handled, they snap and bite fiercely, and, in fact, represent in miniature the actions of the formidable snapping turtle. TABULATED List OF THE NoRTH AMERICAN Mup TURTLES I. Plastron very narrow; not protein the fleshy parts. enus Aromochelys. a. Yellow stripes on head; carapace of adult not keeled. Two yellow stripes on side of head, from snout, above and beneath the eye to the neck. COMMON MUSK TURTLE, A. odoratus. Distribution.—Canada to Florida; westward to Texas. Two yellow stripes on side of head; one from snout above eye to the neck; the other from above angle of jaw to the neck. SOUTHERN MUSK TURTLE, A. tristycha. Distribution.—Georgia and Florida to Texas. b. Head spotted; carapace of the adult strongly keeled. Head olive or gray, with round, black spots. KEELED MUSK TURTLE, A. carinatus. Distribution —Georgia to Arizona. 18 The Musk or Mud Turtles II. Plastron protecting the limbs and Pie tah when lobes are closed. Genus Cinosternum. a. Plastron moderately wide—not entirely closing the shell. 1. Head with stripes or bands. Three yellow bands on carapace*; narrow stripes on each side of head. BANDED MUD TURTLE, C. baurt. Distribution.—Southeastern United States. Carapace olive or brown; two broad, orange bands on each side of head. LOUISIANA MUD TURTLE, C. louisiana. Distribution.—Louisana and Texas. 2. Top of head uniform—sides bright yellow. Carapace olive or brown; sides of head and neck bright yellow. YELLOW-NECKED MUD TURTLE, C. flavescens. Distribution.—Arkansas to Arizona. 3. Head spotted. Carapace olive or brown; head olive, speckled with black. COMMON MUD TURTLE, C. pennsylvanicum. Distribution.—Eastern and Western states. III. Plastron very wide, completely encasing limbs when lobes are closed. Genus Cinosternum—continued Carapace brownish-yellow; head olive, with obscure markings. ARIZONA MUD TURTLE, C. henrict. Distribution.—New Mexico; Arizona. Carapace brownish-yellow; head gray, spotted with black. MEXICAN MUD TURTLE, C, integrum. Distribution—Mexico generally, well into the northern portion. The Genus Aromochelys.—Although some authorities have united this genus with Cinosternum, the writer believes that the very narrow plastron, so characteristic with the three species, constitutes an important point for the foundation of an indepen- dent genus. With this narrow under shell and the consequent exposure of the fleshy parts, together with the proportionately large head, these littie turtles resemble in miniature, the large, vicious species of the Chelydride—the snapping turtles. Three species of this genus are recognised. Their descriptions follow: ~_ * The only species with longitudinal bands on the shell. 19 The Musk or Mud Turtles THE COMMON MUSK TURTLE Aromochelys odoratus, (Latr.) The upper shell is rather narrowly oval and arched to a considerable degree. With young specimens it is strongly keeled, but the keel disappears with the adult, or becomes very blunt and obscure. The plastron is very narrow and much shorter than the upper shell. Neither of the lobes are capable of being drawn upward to any extent. With young specimens they are rigid, and the rear portion remains immovable until the reptile is well grown. The head is proportionately large, with tapering, conical snout. The feet are broadly webbed. Colourationn—With young specimens the carapace is dull olive or brown, the shields showing narrow, black margins. Old specimens are of a dull, lusterless brown and usually coated with moss. The plastron is dark yellow or brown. The head markings are important. On each side of the head are two bright yellow stripes, both extending from the tip of the snout to the neck. One of these stripes passes over the eye; the other extends backward beneath the eye, run- ning parallel with the line of the jaw, thence bending slightly downward behind the angle of the mouth and running to the neck. Dimensions.—Length of Carapace ............. 32 inches. Width of OT Peep peer mee 2h = WengthiofRlastronee. epee eee oy heey Width of Front Lobe at Hinge.... 1,5, “ “"- offRear ie 8 eed eed Width of Bridge of Plastron...... as Kengthot sees SOs eReweets yf Widthvofshleadie sec aee cere Pe Distribution.—Southern Canada to the Gulf of Mexico; westward to Illinois in the North, and to Texas in the southern portion of the range. The species is generally abundant. Habits.—Frequenting slow-running streams and muddy rivers, this pugnacious little reptile is in habits, as well as in looks, an understudy of the snapping turtle. When handled it emits a strong, though not highly disagreeable odour, which, contrary to many assertions, is not of so powerful a nature as to resist repeated washings in an effort to remove it. This 20 The Musk or Mud Turtles odour is characteristic of all of the Cznosternida, though par- ticularly pronounced with the species of Aromochelys. Except for the purpose of coming to the shore to deposit its eggs, the Musk Turtle seldom leaves the water. It crawls about on the bottom of rivers and ponds, searching for food to satisfy its voracious and carnivorous appetite. Frequently it runs afoul of the fisherman’s hook, baited with small fish or worm. Pulled to the surface it snaps viciously and emits the characteristic odour which gives the species its name. As a captive the Musk Turtle is rather timid and, like the snapping turtle, will take advantage of hiding places or dark corners of its tank. Its movements when crawling about the bottom of an aquarium or in swimming show deliberation and perfect ease and prove the creature’s fitness for exploring the muddy beds of rivers. As an experiment the writer kept several specimens in a deep aquarium, without means of leaving the water, or obtaining a foothold at the top, to breathe. The test continued for several weeks. These turtles either crawled about the bottom of the tank or swam leisurely to the surface for a breath of air. They fed readily and from all indications would have lived indefinitely under such conditions. Pond turtles or river turtles—terrapin—if thus treated, would have soon become exhausted and ultimately succumbed by drown- ing. During the first warm days of Spring, the Musk Turtles seek very shallow water, and lie basking in the sun. At such times they may be taken in large numbers. THE SOUTHERN MUSK TURTLE Aromochelys tristycha, (Agassiz) At a glance this turtle at once appeals to the preceding species, but the head markings are different, the upper shell is more elongated, while the forward, central shield of the cara- pace is much narrower. Colouration—Upper and lower shell like the preceding species. There is a narrow stripe from the snout, extending over the eye, thence back upon the neck. Beneath this is a second stripe, extending from slightly above the angle of the jaw, backward upon the neck. The chin has spots in place of the two light bands of A. odoratus. With some specimens the 21 The Musk co [ad Turtles head bands are very obscure. These are generally old individ- uals and the head is brown, streaked or speckled with black. Dimensions.—The measurements of an adult specimen from Enterprise, Florida, are given: Length of Carapace ....................... 4 inches. Widthiofy 11" VERE, Ae ieee 230% eenpthyot, Plastron 32 occ ee. See eee BY alts iWidthwok Head... o.:05 tty ate oe ene ee ae From these measurements it will be seen that the head is proportionately larger than with A. odoratus. Distribution.—The southeastern portion of the United States —Florida to Texas. Habits.—Similar to the preceding species. THE KEELED MUSK TURTLE Aromochelys carinatus, (Gray) The carapace is high and wedge-shaped, with a strong keel upon the rear portion, a character existing with young specimens of the two preceding species, but retained in the adult form of the present species. The head is proportionately larger than that of A. odoratus and the jaws are more strongly de- veloped. Colouration—Unlike the allied species the head is dark brown or olive, profusely spotted with black. There are no traces of stripes. The carapace is dull olive or brown, with black spots or streaks, or radiating bars. The plastron is yellow. Dimensions.—The Keeled Musk Turtle attains a length of shell of five inches, but the proportions of a smaller specimen are given. Length of Carapace aisle girs tabla Act prance 34 inches. Widthio€ }. 65:7 Lea aye teen eee 23 Lengthiof Plastron ...-<2.2-. <3 oa sas-na 27S Width of Front Lobe at Brie BS ciGic) e333 Tate eegvear "SS 5S 1S Sess coe eee 13; “ Distribution—The southern ee of the United States, from Georgia (inclusive) to Arizona (inclusive). Habits —The general habits appeal to the other species of the genus. 22 Tue Reptite Boor Prate VIII | | t = COMMON MUSK TURTLE, Aromochelys odoratus Abundant in muddy rivers of eastern North America. Often takes the hooks of fishermen, and when handled gives out a strong, musky odour. ++ sit ts ? (Bae Fert P55 ee] “4 3} id i SOUTHERN MUSK TURTLE, Aromochelys tristycha Closely allied to the preceding species A common turtle ’ ot be oth 30 150 By tas Rs 3 AN 4 RAE SF Le SDS re “Sa RR TRE: Wie a ey RELE. Aros nat KEELED MUSK TI ym Ge In cen eb high, sharp keel COMMON MUD TURTLE, Cinosternum pennsylvanicum in eastern North America. Note the width of the plastron as compared with the species of Aromochelys anh The Musk or Mud Turtles The Genus Cinosternum.—Six species of Cinosternum occur in the United States and northern Mexico; they may be at once recognised from Aromochelys by the much broader plastron, the lobes of which can be drawn upward against the lower edge of the carapace, covering the limbs and fleshy parts. While the species of Aromochelys are usually known as Musk Turtles, the reptiles of the present genus are more generally called Mud Turtles, though they exude much the same musky odours as the former. Their habits are quite similar to those of the Musk Turtles THE COMMON MUD TURTLE Cinosternum pennsylvanicum, (Bosc.) The upper shell is broader and more flat than with the musk turtles.* The plastron is nearly as wide as the opening of the shell—the front and rear lobes loosely hinged and capable of being drawn upward to protect the head, limbs and fleshy parts. Colouration—Upper shell dull olive or brown, the shields with narrow black margins. The plastronis yellow or pale brown. With the exception of the jaws, which are of a uniform olive, the head is usually brown, with numerous, greenish-yellow spots. On some specimens these spots run together, forming yellowish stripes on the sides of the head, a condition which causes the head to resemble that of the musk turtle, (4. odoratus), but the broad plastron at once distinguishes this species from the former. ‘ Dimensions.—The Common Mud Turtle attains a maximum size of four inches. Following are the measurements of an av- erage sized specimen: Pensphvon Carapace .:32-)/ Aree ee. o>-\shel? 34 inches. Width “ Fe oct «0 19121 AR Raa odor 2S 2d ucts Renethvotmrlastron:... een ae ae ae oS Width of Front Lobe at Hinge. ........... 14 ee tear ee Cyn Tae eee Teka EensthvofeBridceir 1. eee en rae Bt eee WidithyotWeade «2.575 eee per ee te eye: Say * On the carapace of young specimens are three faint keels. On occasional adult specimens there is a blunt, central keel. 23 The Musk or Mud Turtles The range of the Common Mud Turtle must be given as the eastern United States, from New York to the Gulf of Mexico and westward to the Mississippi Valley. It may extend farther west- ward but there appears to be rather a mix-up of western records anda tendency to confuse this with an altogether different species. From this habitat, it will be observed that the Common Mud Turtle does not extend as far northward as its common eastern associate and ally—the musk turtle, nor does it occur so abundantly as that species. Habits.—TVhe habits of this species, and, in fact of all of the Mud Turtles, have practically been described under the head of the common musk turtle. The Mud Turtles are at perfect ease for an indefinite time in a deep tank of water without foot- ing or support upon the surface. They are strictly aquatic in habits when in a wild state and prowl about the muddy bottoms of rivers and ponds in the search for food. THE LOUISIANA MUD TURTLE Cinosternum louisiane, (Baur) This turtle is most nearly allied to C. pennsylvanicum, but may be recognised by its more elongated shell and pronounced markings of the head—arranged in bands. Colouration.—Upper shell dull olive, the margins of the larger shields narrowly margined with black. Plastron dull yellow. The head is strikingly marked and in a fashion that causes the species to differ from all the others of the genus. Beginning at the snout and extending over the eye is a vivid, orange-yellow stripe, which widens and becomes broken at the rear portion of the head, thence continues on the neck as an orange blotch or band. Beginning at the angle of the jaw is a broader stripe of the same colour, running back to the neck. Dimensions.—The measurements given do not equal the maximum size attained, but illustrate the general proportions of the shell: BenstinefGarapacel “areas eee ee 3 inches. Width of seo Ce easily oe aD oh i Penpthmoigtastron. =) lier cece ere aime 32 - WidthyEront Lobe; at) Hinge)... 95...) au, 12 os “ | RACE A ast ae MO Os AT 12 . 24 The Musk or Mud Turtles Distribution.—The exact range of this species is not well known. It has been given as Louisiana, from which state, all of the writer’s specimens have been received. In Louisiana this species appears to take the place of the C. pennsylvanicum. It is very probable that further investigation will demonstrate this species to occur over a considerable area of the southern Mississippi Valley, and westward, well into Texas. ; BAUR’S MUD TURTLE; THE BANDED MUD TURTLE Cinosternum bauri, (Garman) In shape of shell, this reptile resembles the preceding spe- cies of mud turtles, but zt may be easily recognised by the banded appearance of the carapace. Colouration.—The upper shell is brown or olive, with three dull yellow bands extending its entire length. There are two stripes on each side of the head, beginning at the snout and extending backward, above and beneath the eye to the neck. Very old and worn specimens show but little trace of the bands upon the carapace unless the shell is moistened. Dimension.—Length of Carapace ....... ...... 32 inches. Width “ + Rae ae a ela Baas ensth: of elastroneama rein. a) oy aaa Width of Front Lobe, at Hinge ... 12 “ “e “ Rear te ‘ “ 12 OC WidthrotuFlead® wa atns = ae he een 3 The measurements were taken from a specimen captured at Enterprise, Florida. Distribution—The southeastern portion of the United States. THE YELLOW-NECKED MUD TURTLE Cinosternum flavescens, (Agassiz) From the standpoint of form, size and colouration, this species is similar to the common mud turtle, to which it is closely allied. From a technical view it is described as possess- ing differences in the outlines of the shields composing the plastron —the same pertaining to the sutures between the pectoral and humeral shields. These differences may be studied from the illustrations. Colouration.—With the greater number of specimens the upper shell is possibly lighter in colour than the carapace 25 The Musk or Mud Turtles of the common mud turtle, being yellowish-brown, yellowish- green or olive. The margins of the shields are narrowly bordered with black. The plastron is yellow. The upper surface of the head is generally uniform olive, while the sides of the head and neck are bright yellow. Theeye is bright yellow, with a horizontal bar of black through the centre of the iris. Male specimens possess much longer tails than the females.* Dimensions.—Length of Carapace.............. 4% inches. Width of 1 TWAT ISG AR ot eee 34“ Length of Plastronsjta. (ese ot re Width of Front Lobe, at Hinge... 2} “ ae “ec Rear “e ae ae ae 2} ae Distribution.—The range of this species is from Arkansas (inclusive) through Texas and into Arizona. It probably in- habits several of the rivers of northern Mexico. THE ARIZONA MUD TURTLE Cinosternum henrici, (LeConte) This is a large species and might be described as inter- mediate between the species of the genus already considered and the Mexican and Central American species, with which the lobes of the plastron are very wide and the hinges so elastic that the shell closes as tightly as with the true box turtles (Cistudo), a character clearly seen in the illustration of the following species —C. integrum. Colouration.—The carapace is brownish-yellow; the plastron pale yellow. Above, the head and neck are dull olive; both are thickly sprinkled with yellow on the under surfaces. Dimensions.—The species attains a length of five or six inches. Distribution.—Arizona and New Mexico. THE MEXICAN MUD TURTLE Cinosternum integrum, (LeConte) Although this species does not occur in the United States, it ranges well into the northern portion of Mexico. Its descrip- tion is given as representing the type of the tropical species of this genus. * A character to be noted with all the species. 26 PLATE X Tue Reptite Book LOUISIANA MUD TURTLE, Cinosternum loutsia Like all the species of its genus it is persistently aquatic. Immediately told by the bright orange bands on the sides of the head TNE GT or BANDED MUD TURTLE. Cinosternum baurt Distinguished from the other species of Cinosternum in having bands on the upper shell. Confined to Georgia and Florida Toe Reptite Book Prate XI YELLOW-NECKED MUD TURTLE, Cinosternum flavescens The upper shell is yellowish-brown or olive and the sides of the neck bright yellow. Inhabits the southwestern portion of the United States Wei ence a St ie Pease ae ARIZONA MUD TURTLE, Cinosternum henrict Largest of the North American mud turtles. A full-grown shell is six inches long. The under shell has a crushed-in appearance 2 The range embraces the rivers of New Mexico and Arizona The Musk or Mud Turtles The lobes of the plastron are very wide and when closed against the upper shell, form such a perfect union that it is diffi- cult to insert a straw between any portion. The general effect of the under surface is quite different than with the species considered except C. henrici, as the bridge of the plastron is very flat—in fact, it cannot be termed a bridge, for the entire sur- face of the under shell is flush with the edge of the carapace. The characteristic notch at the rear of the plastron, is but feebly represented. This species has a large head and strong jaws. The tail of male specimens terminates in a nail-like spine. Colouration.—Like the majority of the species the upper shell is dull olive or- brown, the shields narrowly bordered with black. The plastron is pale yellow, with clouded brown mark- ings at the edges of the shields. The head is dull yellow, speckled or marbled with black. Dimensions —The measurements given are of an adult specimen (male) from Sinola, west coast of Mexico: engthiot Carapace ina eaneerinies ose x: 6 inches. Width “ os obs Cue aoe Bice tants Te Ws 3g.—= Rength, ot Rlastron, ., bene ce: 20. Se Width of Front Lobe, at Hinge......2...... oy EN HGUINCAT. p20) ic ke ae no 2 grec Widthsotg head's. /:". 205: erawe nomen te Ig Distribution.—Mexico, generally in slow-running streams and rivers. CHAPTER V; THE TERRAPINS THe GENERA CHRYSEMYS, MALACOCLEMMYS AND CHELOPUS A Group of Aquatic Chelonians Known Commonly as Pond Turtles and River Turtles. They are Characterised by Their Broad, Flat Shell. Most of the Species are Edible THE term “Terrapin” is a convenient one, for under this appropriate, popular head we may group all of the North American “turtles,” or semi-aquatic chelonians, except the Soft-shelled Turtles (Trionychide), the Snapping Turtles (Chelydrid@) and the Musk Turtles (Cinosternida). Classification of the Terrapins.—The Terrapins are embraced in the large family Testudinide@; three genera are represented in North America. The largest genus is Chrysemys; it contains the largest species and its members range over the United States generally, though most of them inhabit the southeastern por- tion; others occur in Mexico, Central America, South America and the West Indies. Malacoclemmys is a small genus, con- fined to the central and eastern portions of the United States. Chelopus is also a small genus and the species occur only in the United States. The Terrapins frequent the borders of ponds, brooks and rivers—some, the salt marshes of the eastern coast. They are characterised by their broad, flattened shell—quite smooth with the majority of them. The hind'feet are extensively webbed; all of these animals are excellent swimmers. Many of the species of Chrysemys have very long, sharp claws on both pair of feet. Of all the Terrapins, the ‘‘Diamond-back,” (Malacoclemmys palustris), is the most familiar, as it is a favourite though costly article of food and a by-word of the eastern markets. The larger species of Chrysemys and several of those belonging to: Malaco- clemmys are sold in large numbers, but always at a far less price than the Diamond-back. The former turtles, often seen in large numbers in the markets where they are kept in cold 28 The Terrapins vats to prevent them losing fat, are known commercially and collectively as “Sliders.” | Large examples sell at $1.50 to $2.00, while considerably smaller Diamond-backs—about eight inches long—are worth fully $60.00 a dozen. The species of Chelopus are worthless for market purposes. Definition of the Genera A. Size moderate to large. 6 fo 14 inches. Shell broad and flattened, with some species rising to a very blunt apex. No concentric grooves on shields, but numerous parallel furrows, extending lengthwise on many of the species. Claws very long. Genus Chrysemys. Shell flattened, but rising in the centre to rather a sharp apex, surmounted by a strongly-defined keel. Shields smooth, or with concentric grooves. Genus Malacoclemmys. B. Size smaller—jrom 3 to 8 inches. Shell low and bluntly rounded. Smooth or with concentric rings. Genus Chelopus. The Genus Chrysemys.—The exact standing of these turtles in the United States, as concerns the number of species, is doubt- ful. These terrapin are quite variable, both in the conformation of the shell and in colouration. The writer has before him a series of shells of the Cumberland Terrapin, (Chrysemys elegans). There is a degree of variation in the outlines of the carapace that might greatly confuse the novice. Some of the shells are quite high and have a tendency to be globular; others rise to a blunt apex and are surmounted by a strong keel; a few are decidedly flattened, with a blunt keel. The colouration of the series is likewise variable. Such conditions exist among most of the species. Thus it will be understood that the genus is a difficult one to describe in a popular manner. As little techni- cal work has been done with genus, since the writings of the late Dr. Baur, there are no books of reference to aid in the comparison of various specimens. The writer has given much thought to these terrapin, and has examined fine series of most of the species, but he has encountered many troublesome problems that would take many months of investigation—and many more specimens —to solve. Following his idea to exclude technical phraseology from this work, the writer has found it a hard matter to define one species from another. 29 The Terrapins KEY TO: THE! SPECIES/OF CHRYSEMYS Division I. Carapace perfectly smooth and rounded without a keel and not serrated at the rear margin. Size, from 5 to 8 inches. a. Bright red markings on upper and lower marginal shields of carapace. Dark olive above; shields with wide, yellowish borders. Plastron immaculate yellow. EASTERN PAINTED TERRAPIN, C. picta. Distribution.—Eastern North America. Carapace dark olive, the shields with narrow, yellowish margins. Plastron yellow, with a long black patch in centre. WESTERN PAINTED TERRAPIN, C. marginata. Carapace dark olive or brown; shields with very narrow, or no yellow margins, but tray- ersed by vein-like, yellow lines. Plastron yel- low, with symmetrical, black markings in the centre. BELL’S PAINTED TERRAPIN, C. belli. Distribution.—United States, west of the Miss- issippi and Ohio Rivers. b. No red markings on upper or lower margins of carapace; latter yellow, with or without black spots. live or brown above, with a net-work of fine yellow lines; plastron immaculate yellow. CHICKEN TURTLE, C. reticulatus. Distribution.—Southeastern United States. Division I]. Shell smooth or with numerous parallel grooves; serrated at rear margin. Size, from 10 to 14 inches. c. Carapace flat, smooth, serrated at rear. Carapace olive, with large, black blotches; no yellow markings. Head dull olive. TROOST’S TERRAPIN, C. troostt. Distribution.—States bordering the Mississippi— to Illinois. Carapace olive, divided into’ various sized and shaped areas by yellow bands, the spaces contain- ing concentric, yellow lines. HIEROGLYPHIC TERRAPIN, C. hieroglyphica. Distribution.—Georgia, northern Alabama and Tennessee. d. Carapace flat, with numerous parallel grooves: serrated at rear. § Numerous parallel stripes on head and neck, all of which are yellow. 30 Division III. The Terrapins Shell broad and flat. Carapace olive or brown, with numerous, black-edged, transverse, yellow bands. Plastron yellow. Edges of jaws but slightly serrated. BARRED TERRAPIN, C. concinna. Distribution.—Illinois to the Gulf States and east- ward. Carapace higher and more constricted at sides than that of preceding; olive or black, with reddish cross-bars. Plastron red or deep orange. Edges of jaws strongly serrated. RED-BELLIED TERRAPIN, C. rubriventris. DistributionNew York to Ohio; southward to Florida. Carapace similar to preceding in form; the paler markings run together, in reticulated fashion. Jaws serrated. TEXAS TERRAPIN, C. fexana. Distribution.—Texas. §§ Broadest band on head, red; narrow bands yellow. Carapace olive or brown, barred with yellow. Plastron yellow, blotched with black. CUMBERLAND TERRAPIN, C. elegans. Distribution.—Central States—lIllinois to Texas. §§§ No longitudinal stripes on head of adult; a yellow bar behind eye. Carapace with thickly crowded, parallel fur- rows; blackish with dull yellow cross-bars. Plas- tron usually immaculate, lemon yellow. YELLOW-BELLIED TERRAPIN, C. scabra. Distribution.—North Carolina to Georgia. Carapace high and globular in front; numerous parallel grooves. Carapace moderately high, richly barred with yellow, but slightly serrated in rear. Plastron yellow, clouded with brown. A_ broad band from below eye to throat; a yellow spot on each temple; other head markings in fine lines. PENINSULA TERRAPIN, C. nebulosa. Distribution.—Lower California. Shell distinctly globular. Markings of carapace similar to C. rubriventris: plastron yellow, with narrow brown markings. ALABAMA TERRAPIN, C. alabamensis. Distribution.—Alabama. 31 The Terrapins Similar to preceding, but the upper jaw 1s very finely, instead of coarsely serrated. MOBILE TERRAPIN, C. mobiliensis. Distribution.—Southern portions of the Gulf States. Division lY. Shell very high and globular in front; numerous parallel grooves. Head very small, with fine, yellow lines. Carapace black, with yellow bands. Plastron immaculate, lemon yellow. FLORIDA TERRAPIN, C. floridana. Distribution.—Georgia and Florida. THE PAINTED TERRAPIN: POND TURTLE Chrysemys picta, (Herm.) Carapace flat and perfectly smooth, the borders evenly rounded. Plastron wide—no notches. Maximum length about six inches. Colouration.—Carapace dark olive, brown or black, the shields quite widely margined with greenish yellow; marginal shields of the carapace—above and beneath, bordered with crimson and containing blotches and crescentic markings of that hue. Plastron immaculate yellow. The crimson markings are particularly bright on young specimens; very young individuals have a broad, yellow band on the back. On very old specimens there is little or no trace of red on the upper marginal shields, though the lower shields nearly always show this characteristic colour. Head black, striped with yellow; the neck and the limbs are striped with a similar red as seen on the marginal shields. Dimensions.—A large example has a carapace about six inches long, but such is above the average dimensions, which are given: WensthiofiGarapacelgeiisse see eee eeee 4} inches. Width of!) 0s" SNe eee 3g—Ci‘ Length of Plastron'ty 6:4) Aue eee 7 aa “ Width of Plastron to junction with upper shell, 34 Distribution.—Eastern North America—from New Bruns- wick to the Gulf of Mexico. In the extreme South it extends westward to Louisiana. It is particularly abundant in the Middle Atlantic States. Habits.—Basking on a partially submerged log or minia- ture island of bunch-grass and plunging into the water when 32 Ine Rerrire Boox Prate XII Copyright, 1907, by Doubleday, Page & Company EASTERN PAINTED TURTLE, Chrysemys picta A familiar terrapin of eastern North America The bright markings alone are sufficient for identification eCI ) narrower ye W margins on the shields of the upper shell and an elongat black patch on the plastron. Found in the Central States The Terrapins frightened, the Painted Terrapin forms a typical representative of the pond turtles, which depend upon the water to such an extent that they are unable to feed unless beneath the surface of this element. The food consists of aquatic insects, tadpoles, fishes and water plants. Not difficult to capture and very attractive in its colouration, this terrapin is frequently seen in a captive state, but as an in- mate of an aquarium it is not only annoying, but dangerous to the other life, as it will swim after the fishes, biting at their fins and tails, and, if they be small enough, overpowering and eating them. It is fond of raw chopped beef, chopped fish, earthworms and soft-bodied insect larvae. If lettuce leaves be left floating on the water, it will browse upon these. THE WESTERN PAINTED TERRAPIN Chrysemys marginata, (Agassiz) Size and structure of the shell, like the preceding. Differs only in the colouration. Colouration.—The brilliant red markings on the upper and lower marginal shields of the carapace, are present, but the yellowish borders of the larger shields are very narrow, as com- pared with C. picta. Another difference, is the presence of a large, blackish patch in the central portion of the plastron. Dimensions.—Length of Carapace ............ 5+ inches. Width of ae Saracotarc cae She Kengthiof Plastron, ce seer 5 x The largest specimen examined had a carapace six inches long. Distribution.—The Central States, from western New York to Iowa; possibly extends as far south as Louisiana. BELL’S TERRAPIN Chrysemys belli, (Gray) In shape the carapace is similar to the two preceding species, but this is a larger terrapin. It is most nearly allied to C. cinerea. Colouration.—Carapace dark olive or brown; the yellowish borders on the larger shields to be noted with the two preceding terrapin, are very narrow, or absent. On some specimens the shields are narrowly margined with black. Traversing the 33 The Terrapins carapace are irregular, vein-like lines, usually crossing the cen- tres of the shields. The markings of the under, marginal shields of the carapace are less brilliant than with the allied species; the red bars may be present but they are of a dull hue. The symmetrical, black pattern on the plastron, is character- istic. This is well illustrated in the photograph. The markings on the head, neck and limbs appeal to the Western Painted Terrapin, C. Cinerea. Dimenstons.—A female specimen from St. Clair County, Illinois, shows the following measurements: Eensthyof Carapaceay- esse cee ee erereer ? inches Width “ el Sen ae ae a 8 aaa engthiof Plastron =e. eee 5st WMotaliwidthis <5 Eel yaa eee Sy eh? oe Waidthiof Head ii... erin eerie rae es Distribution.—United States west of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to British Columbia and eastern Oregon. THE CHICKEN TURTLE; LONG-NECKED TERRAPIN; RECTICULATED TERRAPIN Chrysemys reticulatus, (Bosc.) The Chicken Turtle belongs to the first group of the genus, but may be recognised by the following characteristics: 1. The exceedingly long, snake-like neck. 2. The absence of red markings on the upper and lower marginal shields. 3. The yellow bar on each upper marginal shield. 4. The broad, yellow band on the forelimb. 5. The narrow and rather globular shell. This species grows to a length of eight inches. The shell is narrower and proportionately higher than that of any of the terrapins. Though the neck is extremely long, the head is en- tirely retractile. Colouration.—Carapace olive or brown,. with a net-work of fine, yellow lines; the under marginal shields are yellow and each contains a black blotch. Plastron immaculate yellow. On each forelimb is 1 wide, cream-coloured band; the under surface of the tail and limbs is yellow, as is the greater 34 Tre Reptire Book PLATE XIII r BELL’S TERRAPIN, Chrysemys belli Found west of the Mississippi and the Ohio rivers. Note the characteristic markings on the under shell CHICKEN TURTLE, Chrysemys reticulata lines on the upper shell. This turtle is com ymmon in the arge shell is about ten inches long d snake-like There is a net-work of fine yellow stheastern portion of the United States. A very Tne Reptire Book Plate X1V i nes —crsied t Young Painted Terrapin 3.4 5 Young Lesueur’s Terrapin — 2 Young Florida Terrapin 6 Young Wood and Spotted Turtles The Terrapins portion of the throat, though there are several pairs of black stripes. Above, the head is traversed by narrow stripes. Dimensions.—A moderate-sized example from Baker Co., Ga., shows these measurements: JkengthrohGarapace ‘Ais oases one 54 inches. Width of ce aE ete eo. o See ee Sey ce gan Bengthworeblastron! *../)-4.. cise iat « aes Width-srlateRortion, Plastrony 45.2.2... Tees ane Bengthrojiineadvand Neck) “eaten ies: 4 * Wiidtheofetleadh si... io: 55 Nene rsa Ti, a Distribution.—Southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Habits —Much like the preceding species. As the writer looks back upon his general experience with living reptiles of all the orders, he considers the various species of tortoises that have come under his observation to have dis- played the most marked symptoms of intelligence. Among all reptiles they are the most docile, and even with the huge species from the Galapagos Islands and their allies from the Aldabra Islands, which creatures have power enough in their great jaws to sever a man’s hand at the wrist, we find the same docility, combined with an intellect that approaches the mental capacity of warm-blooded creatures. 71 GHAPTER VIII: THE SOFT-SHELEED TURTLES Genus TRIONYX Strongly Characteristic Chelonians, with a Soft, Leathery Shell Classification The family Trionychide is composed of about twenty-seven species embraced within six genera. A few species inhabit North America; the majority occur in south- ern Asia and the East Indies; several species inhabit Africa. The largest genus is Tyzonyx. All of the North American species belong to this genus; the other species inhabit both Asia and Africa. Structure.—From all of the other chelonians the Soft-shelled Turtles are strikingly distinct. The shell is exceedingly flat and in its outline is either bluntly oval or almost circular. Lack- ing the hard shields of other turtles, the carapace and the plas- tron are soft and leathery: the former bends freely at the edges, and droops, like a flap, over the orifice through which the head and neck are withdrawn in time of danger. The neck of the Soft-shelled Turtle is very long, the head is narrow and the snout 1s provided with a slender proboscis, at once imparting a characteristic aspect. While the general appearance of these creatures is fleshy and inoffensive, and the jaws are provided with lip-like folds of skin, the latter cover powerful and keen-edged mandibles and these reptiles bite with the energy of the snapping turtles. The head and neck are completely retractile. As the species are very aquatic, the feet are broad and extensively webbed. General Habits—All of the Soft-shelled Turtles inhabit rivers, ponds and lakes with a soft, muddy bottom. They seldom or never leave the water unless to deposit their eggs— a short distance above the waterside. These reptiles frequently take the hooks of fishermen. They are uniformly agile and vicious; large individuals are dangerous. In the areas inhabited by these turtles in the United States, they are commonly called the “ flap-jack tur- 72 The Soft-shelled Turtles tles.”’ The title is a harsh one, but it conveys the right impression of their structure, as removed from the water they present a ludicrous impression of large and ani- mated pancakes. Their progress under such conditions is clumsy and the soft plastron becomes bruised and lacerated on a hard, rough surface. A key to the North American species is given:* A. Front margin of carapace with conical tubercles. Carapace brown or olive, with dull blotches or black rings. Two pale bands on head, forking a short distance in front of eyes. SOUTHERN SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, 7. ferox. Distribution.—Georgia to Florida; westward to Louisiana. Carapace olive, with numerous black rings. Two pale bands on head, forking at base ae proboscis. SPINY SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, 7. spinifer. Distribution.—Central and northern tributaries of the Mississippi and St. Lawrence Rivers. B. Front margin of carapace smooth. Carapace brown or olive, unicolour or with obscure, line-like blotches. Head markings obscure, but forking at base of proboscis. BROWN SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, 7. muticus. Distribution.—Similar to T. spinifer. Carapace olive, usually with numerous black dots. Head bands uniting a short distance in front of eyes. EMORY’S SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, 7. emoryt. Distribution.—Tributaries of the Rio Grande River. The markings on the carapace are usually lacking on old individuals of all the species. The descriptions of these turtles, when dealing with struc- tural characters alone are difficult problems for the beginner. The colouration of the carapace cannot be relied upon owing to the fading of the markings on old specimens, as explained, * Two alleged species are excluded. These are Trionyx asper and T. nuchalis, both of Agassiz. The range of the former has been given as ‘The Mississippi’’—the latter as occurring in the Cumberland and the Tennessee Rivers. The writer has been unable to examine specimens of either and is not convinced as to their standing as full species. Both appear to be related to T. mutica. 73 The Soft-shelled Turtles but the head markings are important. As but four species are to be described, and these may be separated, as seen by the key, into two groups, according to the structure of the carapace, the descriptions may be concise, and identifications should be made readily. THE SOUTHERN SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE Trionyx ferox, (Schweigger) Largest of the North American species; attains a length (of shell) of 18 inches and a weight of about 30 pounds. The carapace is not much longer than broad; on the front margin is a row of conical tubercles; these are but little developed on young specimens. When the animal is out of the water, the edges of the carapace droop about it. The central portions are much harder, as the skeleton—the ribs and vertebre, lies close to the surface; the outlines of these bones may be detected on very old or thin examples. The tail is very thick and moderately long, with the vent situated near the tip. When the head and front limbs are withdrawn, the forward, thin flap of the carapace, closes against the plastron; the hind limbs are unprotected. Colouration.—Perfectly adult specimens have a uniform, dull brown carapace. The head is brown, with very indistinct pale bands, but these may be seen to join immediately in front of the eyes. The plastron is immaculate white. Specimens not fully grown have an olive or pale brown carapace, marked with dull, black spots, or dots, disposed in rings. On each side of the head and neck is a yellowish band; this extends forward through the eye, and unites with its fellow on the top of the head a short distance in front of the eyes. The character evinced by these bands is important in distinguishing the species from the Spiny Soft-shelled Turtle, on the top of the head of which, the bands unite way forward—at the base of the proboscis. Very young specimens are gaily coloured. - Dimensions.—The writer’s largest specimen had a carapace 18 inches long and 154 inches wide. It weighed 29 pounds, and was captured in an inlet of the Indian River, Florida. Distribution —Georgia and southward throughout Florida; westward through Louisiana—in rivers and ponds with a muddy bottom; often in brackish water. The species is edible and 74 The Soft-shelled Turtles sold in considerable quantities in the markets of both the South and the North. Habits of the Soft-shelled Turtle Old logs, protruding a moist and slimy surface a few inches from the water, sometimes tempt these creatures from the ele- ment for which they are specially provided. In such situations they lie taking a sun-bath, with limbs withdrawn beneath their flabby “shells” and their long necks stretched to the fullest extent, imparting the idea of as many snakes, emerging from under flat stones. At the least alarm they scramble frantically for the water, but upon reaching it their clumsy movements are instantly transformed. Against the resisting surface, the broad, fin-like feet take great purchase and the frightened rep- tiles disappear with almost the agility of a scurrying school of fishes. While displaying the same habits as most reptiles—the flight for shelter if the coast be clear—the soft-shelled turtle at bay is one of the most vicious of cold-blooded creatures: moreover, the knife-like edges of the jaws of large individuals are formidable weapnos, capable of badly lacerating a man’s fingers, or possibly severing a finger if seized at the joint. The soft-shelled turtle darts at the offending object with the rapidity of the serpent’s stroke. This vicious nature has elicited for the animal, in many parts of the South, the title of “soft-shelled snapping turtle.” It frequently takes the hooks of the fisher- men and in its frenzy to escape is always an object to prompt cautious manipulation. The food of the soft-shelled turtle is varied. It is among the worst enemies of fish, frogs and even young fowl. Fresh- water mollusca are devoured in large quantities, particularly by the larger individuals. During the early summer, the female leaves the water to seek a sandy spot exposed to the glare of the sun. Once a suit- able place is found she scoops away the sand and burrows into it to the depth of three or four inches until she is completely covered and hidden, with the exception of a small opening through which she pokes her tubular snout. Here she remains for some days, until all the eggs have been deposited, usually 75 The Soft-shelled Turtles to the number of several dozen, when she crawls from the burrow in a fashion that leaves the eggs covered and makes her way back to the water. The eggs are white and perfectly spherical; the shells are hard and brittle, but very thin. The diameter of an egg of average size is 14 inches, and looks much like the egg of the common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina). See illustration. In captivity, the soft-shelled turtle will live for years, if provided with a deep tank and means of occasionally crawling from the water. The resting places should be perfectly smooth or the reptiles bruise the tender plastron causing sores to develop which ultimately result in the animal’s death. Hence rock- work or concrete should not be used. Old, water-soaked logs or pieces of bark, fastened in such positions that they slope very gradually from the water, form the best resting places. The bottom of the tank should be covered, for three inches or more, with fine sand, as in this, the turtles will burrow and remain for some time beneath the surface. They should be fed chopped fish, or small minnows, raw beef and earthworms. It is always advisable to procure young, or half-grown specimens. They are not alone brighter in colouration, but appear more hardy. As captives, the writer has had admirable opportunities of studying the species. Some large specimens—about fifteen inches in length of shell, were placed in a tank twenty feet long and eight feet wide. On one side of this capacious basin was a slanting runway, but during the several months that the turtles were kept here, they spent their entire time in the water, which was about five feet deep. When undisturbed their swimming movements were very deliberate and graceful, recalling the actions of the marine turtles. After crawling about the bottom of the tank for a time, a specimen would slowly rear itself upon the hind feet, and then, with a single sweep of the front limbs, rise to the surface, where it floated about with the slender tip of the snout protruding from the water. If alarmed, while in this position, all signs of grace disappear. Working the broad, paddle-like feet in alternation, he would dart through the water in lively fashion to seek a dark corner and there to hide. Every three days, each of these turtles was given a fair-sized shad. It was devoured by a series of clean-cut bites, the sharp jaws cutting the fish as readily as a cleaver. 76 THe Reptire Book PLATE XXVI EGGS OF TRIONYX SPINIFER HEAD OF TRIONYX SPINIFER Owing to their spherical form, the eggs are much like The fleshy lips cover keen-edged and strong those of the snapping turtles mandibles FRONT OF CARAPACE—SPINY SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, Trionyx spinijer The spiny tubercles are only present on old specimens YOUNG OF THE SOUTHERN SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, Trionyx ferox The bright markings on the shell disappear with age—in fact, after the creature is a year old Boox PraTe XXVII THe Reprie } es ae , y » Becesd ‘ au LAX : ee OF ‘ : we oN AP its i a he ee a SOUTHERN SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, Trionyx ferox In the rivers of Florida this species attains a weight of 30 pounds. A big specimen is dangerous to handle, as the head darts at an fending object with the quickness of a serpent’s stroke BROWN SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, Trionyx muticus Mature examples are uniform pale brown or olive, which hue admirably matches the muddy river-bottom and aids the creature in obtaining its prey The Soft-shelled Turtles THE SPINY SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE Trionyx spinifer, (Lesson) A smaller species than the preceding, but the general char- acters are very similar. The conical, spiny tubercles on the front margin of the carapace are very pronounced. Colouration.—Dull olive, with a narrow yellow border, internally margined with black.* There are numerous black rings scattered over the carapace—a character vividly apparent on young specimens, which are green. The plastron is immacu- late white. Head markings.—The head is olive—not brown as with the preceding species. On each side of the head, and the neck, is a yellow, black-bordered stripe, extending forward and through the eye thence uniting with its fellow at the base of the snout. The head-markings alone will immediately separate the species from the Southern soft-shelled turtle. The limbs are olive, spotted and marbled with black. Dimensions.—A mature, female specimen, taken at Quincy, Illinois, shows the following measurements: Vengthiof Carapace s Sessa terse yas