Diamondback Terrapin
Malaclemys terrapin
Natural Habitat
They are unique among North American turtles because they live exclusively in brackish water environments. You will find them in coastal salt marshes, estuaries, and tidal creeks where the salinity is between fresh and ocean water.
Where I'm Found
Exclusively found in the brackish coastal waters of the Eastern and Southern United States. Their range hugs the coastline from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, all the way down to the Gulf Coast of Texas.
Source: USGS.gov
What I Eat
They are carnivorous crushers, specialized for eating hard-shelled prey.
- Wild: Their powerful jaws allow them to crush snails, clams, mussels, and crabs (especially fiddler crabs), though they also eat fish and carrion.
- Zoo: A mix of commercial reptile pellets, smelt, shrimp, and krill to replicate high-protein intake.
How Long I Live
- Wild: 25 – 40 years
- Captivity: 40+ years
Fun Facts
- Soup Survivors: In the early 1900s, they were nearly eaten to extinction because “Turtle Soup” was a gourmet delicacy. Prohibition helped save them (since sherry was a key ingredient in the soup).
- Size Gap: They exhibit extreme sexual dimorphism—females grow considerably larger (up to 9 inches) than the males (rarely exceeding 5 inches).
- Name Origin: The word “Terrapin” comes from the Algonquian word torope, meaning “little turtle.”
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