. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. TORTOISES AND TURTLES 159 extent of an alligator's body, to which the carapace of an ordinary terrapin has been united. The common alligator-terrapin, or snapping-tm'tle, is among aiiuatic Chelonians an animal of considerable size. The carapace alone ma}- be as much or more than 20 inches long, and to this ha\e to be added the thick head and neck ,ind elongated tail, which, taken together, arc of almost similar dimensions. A second closely related member (if this famil_\', known b}' tj
. Birds of other lands, reptiles, fishes, jointed animals and lower forms;. Zoology; Birds; Reptiles; Fishes. TORTOISES AND TURTLES 159 extent of an alligator's body, to which the carapace of an ordinary terrapin has been united. The common alligator-terrapin, or snapping-tm'tle, is among aiiuatic Chelonians an animal of considerable size. The carapace alone ma}- be as much or more than 20 inches long, and to this ha\e to be added the thick head and neck ,ind elongated tail, which, taken together, arc of almost similar dimensions. A second closely related member (if this famil_\', known b}' tjie name ot Temmixck's .SnaI'I'KR, attains to yet longer proportions, and is the largest known river-tortoise. The carapace in this species may measure over 2 feet in length, and has three strongly marked longitudinal ridges. The head is relativel}' larger and the tail somewhat shorter than in the preceding species. It is a denizen of the southern districts of the United States, being met with in Texas, P'lorida, and as far north as the ^Missouri. The habits of the two species are stated to be identical. Both of them frequent the rivers and swamps of the areas indicated, preferring the waters that ha\e a muddy bottom, and in some localities occurring in vast numbers. As a rule they prefer lying in deep water near the centre of the river or swamp they inhabit, but they also occasiijnally ascend to the surface and float in midstream with outstretched necks. Like other water-tortoises, they come on land to find suitable locations for depositing their eggs. The name of Snappers, commonly applied to these tortoises, bears reference to their in\-eterate habit of snapping and biting \iciously at everything placed within their reach. l'2\'en from the egg the young of Temmincl<'s species is wont to display this trait. The animals are somewhat esteemed for food, and arc consequently caught for the market. They will take almost any bait, but manifest a predilection for fish. Considerabl
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecad, booksubjectfishes, booksubjectzoology
