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Northern Diamondback Terrapin
Malaclemys terrapin terrapin
Conservation Status:
Photographed by David Cappaert
Description
Terrapins are four to ten inches long, with a bluish gray or black shell that has diamond shaped scutes. Sometimes black stripes or spots may be visible on the scutes and skin. Their plastron is orange with black splotches, and they have lighter skin. Females are larger than males.
Habitat
These turtles live in estuaries and brackish water, either in salt marshes or coastal habitats.
Behavior
These highly aquatic turtles have skin that is impermeable to salt, allowing them to tolerate brackish waters. They eat fish, invertebrates, and algae. They are docile, but may bite if cornered and threatened. They lay around ten eggs in June on slopes facing marshes.
Range
Present
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