THE TURTLES AND TORTOISES.
The Order of Turtles, (Chelonia), is so large that it has been found necessary to devote to its representatives the whole central space of the main hall of the Reptile House, and also a specially designed Tortoise House of glass in the eastern end of the building. In the main hall are two features—one, a large square tank for large turtles; the other, a pool of running water between banks of earth, sand, and living plants. This tank is 35 feet in length, and by means of low, plate-glass partitions it is divided into ten cross sections, each of which can very comfortably provide for the wants of at least three species of turtles of medium size. With a wonderfully rich Chelonian fauna on the western continent to provide for, there is little room to spare for Old World forms, and the temptation to make this collection strictly Occidental, is almost too great to be resisted. For the sake of brevity and clearness, only six types have been chosen for special mention.
GIANT TORTOISE.
The following species taken together fairly represent the different forms of Chelonians, from the highest to the lowest:
The Alligator Turtle, (Macrochelys lacertina), is the largest fresh-water chelonian in North America. In form and temper it resembles the common snapping turtle of the North, and its home is in the Gulf States. The largest of the two Louisiana specimens on exhibition weighs 115 pounds.
The Snapping Turtle, (Chelydra serpentina), which is the most courageous and pugnacious of all turtles, is rather poorly protected by its shell, and must therefore fight for its place in nature.
The Painted Turtle, (Chrysemys picta), is a species of wide and common distribution, and fairly representative of the host of fresh water terrapins and turtles so common throughout the United States in ponds and streams of all sorts.
The Box Tortoise, (Cistudo carolina), lives on land, and as a means of perfect protection has been enabled by nature completely to withdraw its head and legs within its shell, and by means of a hinge across the middle of the plastron, or lower shell, to close it tightly.
The Tortoise and Lizard Yards.—At the eastern end of the Reptile House is a commodious glass-roofed hall, opening into a series of sandy yards. This installation is occupied by the collection of tortoises and the larger tropical lizards. These reptiles do better in captivity, and show to best advantage, if given outdoor sunlight and plenty of room for exercise.
The Giant Tortoises are among the most interesting of living reptiles. There are fourteen distinct species, all belonging to the genus Testudo. These creatures appear to be survivors of the reptilian ages when reptiles attained colossal proportions. Fossil remains of the great tortoises show these creatures to have formerly inhabited the continents, but the survivors are restricted to isolated groups of small islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Six species inhabit the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. Four are found in the Aldabra Islands in the Indian Ocean, and four inhabit the Mauritius-Rodriguez group of Islands. All the species are rapidly becoming extinct. Recent expeditions to the Galapagos Islands have reported that very few Giant Tortoises now survive in those islands.
The Giant Tortoises are entirely herbivorous. The specimens exhibited consume great quantities of green food, which varies in kind according to the season’s supply. During the summer months they feed largely upon melons.
Among the species exhibited is Testudo vicina, represented by our largest specimen, captured in the Galapagos Islands. It weighs slightly over two hundred and twenty-five pounds. Another example from the same islands represents Testudo nigrita, a smaller and flatter species. Testudo elephantina, the Elephant Tortoise, is represented by a large specimen from the Aldabra Islands, which is growing rapidly. The latter tortoise has a very high shell, and proportionately small head.
The Gopher Tortoises, (Testudo carolina), are large, thick-shelled, clumsy creatures, which burrow in holes in the sandy southern regions where they live. Once they were common in southern Florida, but their edibility has resulted in a great decrease in their abundance.
The South American Tortoise, (Testudo tabulata), is a good representative of the smaller tortoises from various parts of the world. It is common throughout tropical South America and attains a maximum length of shell of about 14 inches. The shell is elongated and blackish, each of the shields having a yellowish center. Like all of the tortoises, this is a herbivorous reptile.
The Marine Turtles.—At the New York Aquarium, situated in Battery Park, and managed by the New York Zoological Society, will be found a fine collection of such large sea-turtles as the Loggerhead, Green Turtle and Hawksbill, which require salt water.
The Soft-Shelled Turtle, (Aspidonectes ferox).—As to living relatives, this strange genus seems apropos of nothing. Like some of the marine turtles its shell is greatly reduced in weight, so that it can float more readily; instead of being solid bone, it terminates in a wide, thin edge of cartilage, which is so soft that when properly boiled it constitutes palatable food.