Diamondback Terrapin

Malaclemys terrapin

Description:

Sweetest turtle face ever :) Spotted crossing a road on Cape Lookout in the Outerbanks of NC.

Species ID Suggestions

7 Comments

alicelongmartin 13 years ago

Thanks Mitch and Marylou. I did some research too. The only Terrapin I remember was in the (Uncle Remus) stories with Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox.

marylou.wildlife 13 years ago

Alice, this individual was found on Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina. Michael, as far as I know it is either the Northern (M. t. terrapin) or Carolina (M. t. centrata) subspecies, I believe these two overlap in Cape Hatteras.

MitchRay 13 years ago

A terrapin is a genus of turtles that live in coastal areas (brackish or salt water) and generally eat crustaceans, such as crabs.

Vampiress 13 years ago

so cute :)

alicelongmartin 13 years ago

I would like a little information on the difference between a terrapin and Turtle. Is a Terrapin a land animal like the Tortoise? What does it eat and could you write in where you found it as it will not show it on the map.