File:Aquatic life (1918-1919) (19560859259).jpg

Title: Aquatic life
Identifier: aquaticlife419181919baus (find matches)
Year: 1918-1919 (1910s)
Authors: Bausman, Joseph E
Subjects: Aquariums; Fish culture
Publisher: Philadelphia : J. E. Bausman
Contributing Library: Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Harvard University, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Ernst Mayr Library

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170 ftquatic JLitt markings there seen are abrasions from the plastron having rubbed against the box in which it traveled from its Florida home. Several of the Adel specimens had the plastron beautifully blotched with intense black, the ground color being a very pale yellow. It will be remem- bered that the plastron in our Painted Terrapin is also yellow, and in the adult rarely has any markings upon it. (Fig.
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Chrysemys picta * 2.) Sometimes in this species, however, the plastron is of a rich deep buff color, and may have some central markings upon it of a deeper shade. No difficulty is encountered in identify- ing the Florida terrapin—that is, adult specimens of it, for it has the smallest head for its size of any other species in this country, while its carapace mounds *The Painted Terrapin. Ventral view of a male, reduced. Presented by Mr. Edward S. Schmid, of Washington, D. C. Both speci- mens photographed from life by the author. up in a dome-like fashion that is unique, to say the least of it. This form of the shell is not fully developed until the ani- mal is adult, younger individuals having the carapace much as we see it in other species of the genus. Florida terrapins, as a rule, have the carapace of a blackish brown color, sometimes marked with bars of a lighter shade. Centrally, the marginal scutes present a yellowish bar, but this character, too, may be quite dim. Its jet black head has fine linear mark- ings of pale yellow, with a strong stripe of the same color running posteriorly from either eye to the neck. The stripes on the chin are much lighter or even whitish. As to its habits, they probably do not differ very much from those of other species of the genus; still, we stand in need of some good account of these in nature, as there does not seem to be any such extant at the present time. Daphne is scarce during the winter months, and not all of us find it con- venient to collect the larvae of Corethra, but every aquarist can provide enchy- traeid worms. A box of any convenient size, partly filled with soil, kept constantly moistened with milk and water, and properly start- ed with a "nest" of the white worms can eventually be made to yield a gratifying supply. Occasional small portions of mashed potatoes, oatmeal, corn starch pudding, unflavored, or bread and milk, will be the needed worm-food. This should be buried just below the surface. A little observation will determine the proper quantity and frequency of feed- ing. To gather worms, lay a slice of bread well moistened with milk on the soil, and a few hours later they will be found beneath it in little clumps, readily removed with small forceps..

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