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Project Noah Nature School
(Malaclemys terrapin)
The common name refers to the diamond pattern on top of its shell, but the overall pattern and coloration vary greatly. The shell is usually wider at the back than in the front and from above its appears wedge shaped. Its shell coloring can vary from browns to greys, and its body color can be grey, brown, yellow, or white. All have a unique pattern of wiggly, black markings or spots on their body and head. The diamondback terrapin have large webbed feet.
The diamondback terrapinis a species of turtle native to the brackish coastal swamps of the eastern and southern United States.
Terrapins look much like their freshwater relatives, but are well adapted to the near shore marine environment. They have several adaptations that allow them to survive in varying salinities. They can live in full strength salt water for extended periods of time,[8] and their skin is largely impermeable to salt
Its an estuarine species (lives in mostly brackish water habitats, at the mouth of rivers) found up and down the east coast. They eat mostly marine invertebrates and they grow to 6-7in. Once considered a delicacy and widely harvested.
Agree with Jason Diamondback Terrapin (there seem to be a few different local subspecies ... see more here:
http://www.neoterrapin.com/genus/
It was at the zoo. He didn't have a plaque to identify him, or at least one I could find. That is all I know very little about him. That is the reason I posted the picture, I would like to know more about him. People here are very knowledgeable and was hoping to learn more.
Can you give some information on the coloring? Or the habitat? Or the range it which its habitat is located?
???Did they have this in the State Capitol building? was it an exhibit? Do you think it is an american species or foreign?
Spotted on Aug 3, 2011
Submitted on Feb 5, 2012
