The Diamondback Terrapin
Malaclemys
terrapin
In the language of my people, the
Shawnee,
Terrapin means Turtle.
The Algonquin people gave them the name
Terrapin meaning edible turtle in brackish water.
The Terrapin diet consists of small crabs, fish
and mollusks,
(their jaws are strong and able to crush the
shells of these).
Predators include foxes, birds, raccoons, skunks
and muskrats.
The Diamondbacks take their name from the markings
or patterns on their backs.
Like many other Turtles, the Terrapins are often
found basking on logs in warmer weather.
The Diamondback Terrapin is sexually dimorphic,
or physical differences by sex and
in this case, the females are larger.
Warmer areas produce larger turtles in this
species.
Males reach a size of about five inches at maturity,
the females are a bit bigger at 7.5 inches.
The Terrapin was hunted nearly to extinction
because of its popularity as a food source.
At one time, it was a delicacy at many upscale
restaurants
and early Slaves were so frequently served this
turtle as
their only protein source, that they began
complaining.
The Diamondback Terrapin, unlike any other, chooses to
live in Coastal Salt marshes or Brackish swamp waters
along
the Eastern Seaboard from New England to the
Florida Keys.
Terrapins hibernate in the winter,
buried in the mud of their local
environment.
|
Female Adult Diamondback Terrapin
Photo credit: Mary@NOAA |
Although this species is neither Threatened,
nor Endangered, it is none the less protected
by several states,
including New York.
Casualties come each year from habitat
destruction,
over hunting and/or
drowning in eel or crab traps/pots.
Sadly, the beautiful Terrapin is available
to buy on countless web sites.
Places to learn more:
Animal Diversity Web
Malaclemys
terrapin
