The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is a medium-sized turtle found in the coastal brackish and saltwater marshes of the eastern and southeastern United States.
The males typically grow to around 5 inches in shell length, while the females are significantly larger, reaching up to 9 inches.
These turtles have gray to whitish shells and skin, with various patterns of black spots and stripes. Some individuals even have black “moustaches,” and there may be yellow spots on the shell scutes and an orange tinge on the marginal scutes in certain individuals.
When handling large female terrapins, caution is advised due to their large heads and powerful jaws. Generally, when aquatic turtles are сарtᴜгed, they do not survive well.
Aquatic turtles belong to the family Emydidae, which includes various freshwater turtles such as painted turtles, slider turtles, and map turtles, among others. The diamondback terrapin shares its closest relationship with map turtles from the genus Graptemys.
These aquatic turtles are particularly fascinating because they inhabit habitats exclusively fed by saltwater. Adult terrapins are often observed in salt marsh streams during ɩow tide but are less visible during high tide when large ргedаtoгѕ like ѕһагkѕ may enter the habitat.
It is believed that during high tide, terrapins seek refuge in the grass and mud of salt marshes, where they also feed on periwinkle snails. Hatchling terrapins are typically found in grassy marshes closer to the shore and spend their early years hiding in shallow water, mud, and under mats of deаd grass.