Diamondback Terrapin Facts
| Take Action |
Named for the diamond-shaped growth rings on its top shell, the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) a turtle native to the eastern and southern United States.
Fast Facts
Length: 7.5 inches (females); 5 inches (males).
Weight: 1.5 lbs (females); 0.5 lbs (males).
Lifespan: 25-40 years.
The diamondback terrapin is light brown, gray or black on top with a bottom shell that ranges from yellow to olive in color.
Diet
Diamondback terrpains consume fish, snails, worms, clams, crabs and marsh plants.
Did You Know?
The diamondback terrapin is the state reptile of Maryland!
Range
The diamondback terrapin is found along the Atlantic Coast of the eastern United States from Cape Cod to the Florida Keys and west along the Gulf Coast to Texas. See a diamondback terrapin range map >>
Behavior
The diamondback terrapin is believed to be the only turtle in the world that lives exclusively in brackish water (containing some salt, but not as much as ocean water), habitats like tidal marshes, estuaries and lagoons. Most terrapins hibernate during the winter by burrowing into the mud of marshes. Although diamondback terrapins live in tidal marshes, estuaries and lagoons, their preferred nesting sites are sandy beaches.
Reproduction
Mating Season: May through July.
Gestation: Around 60 days.
Clutch size: 8-12 eggs.
Did You Know?
The diamondback terrapin's whitish skin is covered with black spots and squiggly marks in a pattern that is unique to each individual - like human fingerprints!
The gender of diamondback terrapin offspring is determined by temperature – a higher nest temperature produces more females while a lower nest temperature produces more males.
The hatchlings emerge from August to October and are completely on their own. Only 1 to 3% of the eggs laid produce a hatchling, and the number of hatchlings that survive to adulthood is believed to be similarly low.
After hatching, some young remain in the nest during the winter although most emerge and enter the nearest body of water.
Climate Change and Other Threats
The diamondback terrapin is threatened by habitat destruction, road construction (terrapins are common roadkill) and drowning in crab traps.
Climate change is also poised to bring major changes to the terrapin’s habitats and life cycle. By the end of this century, sea level is projected to rise between 2.25 feet under a low emissions scenario and up to 3.25 feet under the highest emissions scenario.
Due to land subsidence in the Northeast, the effect of the rise will seem about 10 to 20% higher than the actual. Salt water incursion into brackish tidal marshes will alter their character and potentially make large areas saltier than the terrapin can tolerate. Storm surges and beach erosion threaten their preferred nesting habitats. And higher temperatures on nesting beaches could skew the sex ratios of offspring.
Reasons for Hope
In 2007, Defenders of Wildlife mobilized citizen activists in Maryland to urge the Governor to take a tougher stance on protecting diamondback terrapins. Learn more >>
Legal Status/Protection
- Endangered Species Act (ESA): Diamondback terrapins are a species of concern.
- IUCN Red List: Near threatened.
- The diamondback terrapin is officially protected by several individual states.
- Learn more about legal status and protection of diamondback terrapins >>
How You Can Help
- Help diamondback terrapins and other wildlife by adopting an animal at our Wildlife Adoption Center.
- Take Action for Wildlife at our Wildlife Action Center.
