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Project Noah Nature School
Spotted on May 14, 2011
Submitted on Jan 21, 2012
8 Comments
definitely a diamond back terrapin you can tell by its skin coloration and pattern.
d'Artagnan to attaaaaaaack !!!!!
AHHH! I want a turtle! Cute!
They are all over the back bays in NJ. I have seen them on the beach but not often. I had a seagull almost drop one on my head a few years ago. They are usually a dark green. Odd thing is they are normally around in spring and summer. Found one on the beach one March. It was missing an eye. Probably the coldest weather I have seen a hatchling. If you want to find more on Diamond backs check out wetlandsinstitute.org
Found on a barrier island, no fresh water at all. Do these turtles live in salt or brackish water?
That was my only other guess for NJ, especially based on the fact that it was found on a beach. If that's the case, it's the blandest, brownest diamondback terrapin hatchling I've ever seen. :-)
Diamondback terrapin hatchling.
Wood turtle hatchling is the best I can come up with. (Glyptemys insculpta)