Chapters 9 & 10
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Activity 1 Brian was awakened one night. He noticed tracks in the sand. Brian recognized the tracks as a turtles. The turtle had laid 17 eggs. This was a great find for the hungry Brian. Learn more about turtles. Especially the Snapper which was the type Brian met. Add this to your survival guide. |
The Snapper turtle is Canada's largest freshwater turtle. It grows up to 45 cm and weighs up to 15 kg. Its big head and long tail can go inside its shell. It has muscular legs. The skin of the turtle is black, gray, brown, tan, olive, or yellow. It usually is a combination of these colors. The head is large with strong jaws.
Snappers live in ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. If they are confronted in water they usually just slip away. On land they can be very defensive if confronted. They make hideouts in the muddy bottoms of ponds or under driftwood.
This large turtle eats many different plants and animals. They eat aquatic plants, fish, frogs, birds, snails, worms, leech insects, larvae, small fish, and small mammals. They are scavengers and clean up dead fish and drowned animals.
The young hatch from round eggs that look a lot like ping-pong balls. The turtles usually hatch in September or early October.
Snapping turtles are shy, but aggressive. Their snap is not an act of aggression, but a defense mechanism.
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Activity 2 Learn more about fire. How did early man build fires? What is the safe way to build a fire in the wilderness?
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Man has been able to control fire since 1,600,000 B. C. Brian made fire much the way the Homo erectus man did. Study these early methods of fire building.
What is the correct way to build a fire?
Dig a pit away from overhanging branches.
Circle the pit with rocks.
Clear a 5 foot area around the pit down to the soil.
Stack extra wood upwind and away from fire.
After lighting, do not discard match until cold.
Never leave a campfire unattended
Keep a bucket of water and shovel nearby.
