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Wood Terrapin
- Colouration
- The upper shell is dull brown, each plate marked with narrow and radiating yellow lines and spots. On the lower edge the carapace is yellow with large, black patches. The plastron is yellow, each plate containing a large patch of black.
- Dimensions
- The measurements of an adult, female specimen are given:
- Distribution
- The Northeastern United States, from Maine to Pennsylvania (inclusive); westward to Ohio.
- Habits
- The Wood Terrapin is not aquatic in habits, although it usually frequents damp places and can swim readily. It prowls in damp woods and swamps, feeding upon tender vegetation, berries and insects. In the spring it is usually found about streams and at that time is often seen in the water.
- Distribution
- Central States; eastward to New England States.
- Distribution
- Central States to the Rockies; south into Mexico.
- Distribution
- Eastern United States, north of Georgia.
- Distribution
- Georgia to the Rio Grande.
- Distribution
- Georgia to the Rio Grande; northward to Missouri.
- Distribution
- Southern Georgia and Florida.
Carapace with a strong keel; each of the shields contains many concentric grooves, rising, one above the other, to an extent that produces a bulging formation. The entire carapace has a rough, chiseled aspect, hence the specific name--insculptus. On the rear margin the carapace is serrated. There is a deep notch at the rear of the plastron.
The fleshy parts, with the exception of the top of the head and limbs, are bright brick red.
Length of Carapace . . . . . 6 1/2 inches.
Width of Carapace . . . . . 5 1/4 inches.
Length of Plastron . . . . . 6 1/2 inches.
Total Width of Plastron . . . . . 4 1/4 inches.
Eight inches represents the length of a large specimen.
Captive specimens are fond of berries and lettuce. They will also devour chopped fish and the larvae of beetles, coming to the hand that feeds them and taking food from the fingers.
Turtles with Divided, Hinged Plastrons--Descriptions of the Species--Their Habits.
IN the consideration of the genera Emys and Cistudo, the student has passed, in the classification of the Chelonia, the strictly aquatic species, and is referred to the connecting links between the former and the true tortoises--terrestrial reptiles, of Testudo and allied genera. The structure and habits of the species of the present chapter afford admirable examples of transition, in the scale of evolution.
The Box Turtles derive their popular name from the structure of the plastron, which is attached to the carapace by an elastic, cartilaginous joint. The plastron is divided by a central hinge, which permits both the front and rear portions to be drawn against the lower surface of the carapace. Thus, in time of danger, the creature draws in the head and limbs and closes the shell in box-like fashion.
The genus Emys is composed of but two species, one of which inhabits Europe and Asia and is very aquatic in habits. The other species, Blanding's Turtle, occurs in the United States, and although possessing fully webbed feet and being partial to the neighborhood of water, is given to the habit of wandering over swampy areas. The genus Cistudo is composed of five (A sixth species occurs in Mexico-C. mexicana. It has three claws on the hind'foot.) North American species that are strictly terrestrial although several of these species display distinct traces of webs between the toes, while others have feet like the true tortoises. Thus we trace our way along the links of the chain, and can understand why the species of Cistudo, although quite terrestrial, cannot properly be termed tortoises, as their structure demonstrates that they are more closely allied to the turtles.
Following is a key to aid in the identification of the North American Box Turtles:
I. Feet fully webbed. Carapace elongated and globular.
Genus Emys.
Black, with numerous yellow dots.
BLANDING'S TURTLE, "SEMI-BOX" TURTLE, E. blandingii.
II. Feet club-shaped, or sparsely webbed. Carapace short and globular.
Genus Cistudo.
a. Hind foot with four claws.
Carapace without a keel. Brown or black with yellow, radiating spots.
PAINTED BOX TURTLE, C. ornata.
Carapace with a keel. Brown or black with irregular, yellow spots.
COMMON BOX TURTLE, C. carolina.
Carapace with a keel (The largest species of the genus). Brown or black, with yellow, radiating lines.
LARGE BOX TURTLE, C. major.
b. Hind foot with three claws.
Carapace like two preceding species.
Olive, with obscure yellow markings.
THREE-TOED BOX TURTLE, C. triunguis.