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Kohn's Terrapin

Colouration
The carapace resembles that of Lesueur's Terrapin, but the colouration of the head is quite different. There is a large, yellow spot behind the eye, and a thin yellow line, connecting with a shorter one, extending backward from the upper portion of the eye.
Distribution
The species appears to inhabit those states in and adjacent to the lower Mississippi Valley. It has been taken at Bayou Lafourche, Bayou Teche and St. Martinsville, Louisiana; also near Pensacola, Florida.
Distribution
The exact range of the species is not known. The type specimens were taken on the Alabama River, near Montgomery. Alabama.

This species was described by the late Dr. G. Baur in 1890 (Science, November 7,1890. Vol. 16). He explains that the form of the shell is much like that of another of his new species, technically called M. oculifera, and which the writer has popularly termed the Occellated Terrapin.

Malacoclemmys pulchara, (Baur)(Described by G. Baur in the American Naturalist of 1893, p. 675.)

The head markings of this species are the strongest characters for identification. The original description states: "The whole space between and behind the orbits is characterised by a continuous, yellow figure, which sends backward, on each side, behind each orbit, a strong process of the same colour."

The carapace is pale olive, with yellow markings about the margin; the plastron is yellow, with darker markings. The species attains an average size for this genus.