Popular Official Guide to the New York Zoological Park 29

Popular Official Guide to the New York Zoological Park 29

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.

 

[Illustration: 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.

 

 

THE CROCODILES AND ALLIGATORS.

 

The Order of Crocodilians.—This important Order, the members of which

are widely distributed throughout the tropics and sub-tropics of the

world, contains nineteen species. At this point it is well to correct

certain very general misapprehensions regarding crocodilians.

 

Crocodiles are _not_ confined to the Old World; at least three species

being found abundantly in tropical America.

 

The “movement” of a crocodile’s jaw differs in no manner whatever from

that of an alligator.

 

Only a few species of crocodiles are dangerous to man.

 

There is no authentic record of the loss of a human life through our

common alligator.

 

The Alligator genus embraces the American Alligator, (_A.

mississippiensis_), of the southern United States and a small species

found in China! The head of the Alligator is very flat and its sides are

nearly parallel, while the head of a typical crocodile is nearly

triangular.

 

The American Alligator is well represented in the Pool in the Reptile

House, by several lusty specimens, all of which eat voraciously, are

growing rapidly, and undoubtedly enjoying life. The largest specimen, a

burly monster over twelve feet in length, has grown nearly five feet in

length since its arrival here in 1899.

 

In summer, the Alligator Pool on the hill, southeast of the Reptile

House, is well stocked with alligators of various sizes, and it is there

that visitors can secure most realistic impressions of the appearance of

this species in a state of nature, and in abundant numbers.

 

[Illustration: ALLIGATOR POOL.]

 

Under favorable conditions,—warm water and air, good light, plenty of

room, and abundant food,—the Alligator grows rapidly. A specimen hatched

in our Reptile House in October, 1900, was in January, 1911, 8 feet 3

inches long, and weighed 75 pounds.

 

The Crocodile genus is widely represented throughout the world. Of the

whole eleven species, the American continent contains four—the Florida

Crocodile, (_Crocodilus acutus floridanus_), attaining a length of 14

feet, which was discovered at the head of Biscayne Bay, in 1875, by W.

T. Hornaday; the American Crocodile, (_C. acutus_); the Sharp-nosed

Orinoco Crocodile (_Crocodilus intermedius_), found in South America;

and the small _Crocodilus rhombifer_, which is found only in Cuba and

the West Indies.

 

Of the seven remaining species, Asia contains four, and Africa three. Of

the Asiatic species, one frequents salt water.

 

The Florida Crocodile is now represented by two specimens nearly 9 feet

long, from Madina Creek, southern Florida, presented by Mr. Julian A.

Dimock. It is to be recognized at a glance by its dark olive color and

sharp-pointed head. This is the only species of crocodile found in the

United States. Its maximum length is 14 feet 2 inches.

 

[Illustration: VENEZUELAN BOA.]

 

The Broad-Nosed Crocodile, (_Osteolaemus tetraspis_), of Africa, is

represented by two specimens. This species is characterized by the

broad, bony-looking head. It is one of the smaller crocodilians

attaining a maximum length of five feet.

 

 

THE LIZARDS.

 

The Tropical Lizards.—Several families of lizards are represented among

the specimens occupying the Reptile House, the Tortoise room and outside

runways. Among these are the Iguanas, Tegus and Monitors.

 

Among the Iguanas are several large and interesting lizards. The largest

of these is the Rhinoceros Iguana, (_Cyclura cornuta_), found in Hayti.

Contrary to the general belief, but like all the Iguanas, it is partly

carnivorous, though it feeds largely upon vegetables and fruit. This

species receives its name from the presence of three well-defined horns

upon the snout.

 

The Mexican Iguana, (_Ctenosaura acanthura_), looks unique in the

possession of rings of sharp spines about the tail. Most specimens are

jet black when adult, but very young examples are pale green.

 

The South American Iguana, (_Iguana tuberculata_), may be readily

distinguished by the very pronounced fringe of erect spines which rise

along the back-bone of male specimens, and also by the presence of a

rounded tubercle or plate on each side of the head. This is a brightly

colored Iguana, having bars of green, gray and black. It is strictly

arboreal, and evinces stronger herbivorous habits than species of the

allied genera. A large male specimen is seven feet long, but much of

this length is taken up by the gradually tapering tail. In South

America—on the Orinoco, at least—this species is considered edible, and

the writer can testify that to a hungry man its flesh is excellent.

 

The very popular Horned “Toad”, (_Phrynosoma_), of the southwestern

states, of which there are eight or nine species, should be mentioned if

for no other reason than to place it where it belongs—with the lizards,

and not with the toads.

 

The Tegus, (genus _Tupinambis_), are powerful lizards, growing to a

length of four feet, and inhabiting tropical South America. They are

fleet of foot, mainly carnivorous and very quarrelsome. It is impossible

to keep any but the larger lizards in the yard with them. Tegus are fond

of eggs, breaking the shell at one end and lapping up the contents by

means of the very broad, forked tongue. They will also eat raw beef.

 

The Australian Monitor, (_Varanus gouldii_), is a good representative of

a genus of large and powerful lizards confined to the Old World, where

they occur in India, Malaysia, Africa and Australia. Monitors grow to a

length of eight feet. They are swift runners, entirely carnivorous, and

usually dwell in thick jungles. They are able to swallow entire an

animal as large as a half-grown rabbit. All are fond of eggs, swallowing

them without breaking the shell, which is soon dissolved by the powerful

gastric juices.

 

Other Lizards.—Within the main halls of the Reptile House will be found

various representatives of the smaller Lizards, a few of which may be

mentioned.

 

The beautiful, emerald-colored Green Lizard, (_Lacerta viridis_), of

Europe, is not only a handsome species, but it is also one of the most

satisfactory to keep in a vivarium—a good feeder and always posing.

 

The famous Glass “Snake,” (_Ophiosauris ventralis_), is important

because its resemblance to a snake is so perfect it is generally

mistaken for one, although a true lizard. It is not, however, a

“connecting link” between the lizards and the serpents.