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Berlandier's Tortoise — Part 2
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, T. ferox.
Carapace olive, with numerous black rings.
Two pale bands on head, forking at base of proboscis.
SPINY SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, T. spinifer.
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, T. muticus.
Carapace olive, usually with numerous black dots. Head bands uniting a short distance in front of eyes.
EMORY'S SOFT-SHELLED TURTLE, T. emoryi.
The markings on the carapace are usually lacking on old individuals of all the species.
The descriptions of these turtles, when dealing with structural 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, 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.