DEDICATED TO DIAMONDBACK TERRAPIN
RESEARCH, CONSERVATION, MANAGEMENT
AND EDUCATION

Diamondback Terrapin
Malaclemys terrapin
Diamondback Terrapin
Distribution
• Terrapins inhabit
coastal waters from
Massachusetts to
Texas
• Habitats: salt
marshes & mangrove
swamps
Species Variation
Estuarine Life
History
• Found in brackish water (mix of fresh and salt)
• Sharp bony beak with no teeth for a diet that
includes: snails, fish, mussels, crabs, worms,
algae and other plant material
Habitat: Salt Marsh
Most terrapins live in salt marshes
Habitat: Salt Marsh
Hatchlings moving in a salt marsh
Habitat: Mangrove
Terrapins can also be found in mangrove swamps
Morphology & Physiology
Adapted for water and land:
o Shells streamlined for swimming
o Webbed feet for swimming and nest digging
o Nails for digging into sand or mud
Carapace
Plastron
Feet and Nails
Sexual Dimorphism
MALES
Average length: 6 inches
(15 cm)
Reach sexual maturity at
3 - 7 years old
FEMALES
Average length: 9 inches (23 cm)
Reach sexual maturity at 7 - 11
years old
Adaptations to Saline
Environments
Terrapins "Osmoregulate": regulate % salt in their
bodies
Salt glands in the corner of eyes to secrete salt "tears"
(lachrymal gland)
Example of salt
being extruded
through a salt
gland in a nesting
sea turtle
Brumation
Winter period of reduced activity
Fall
Adults burrow
in the mud
Spring
Mating occurs
In the water
Summer
Females lay
eggs
on land and
return
to water
Overwinters
Hatchlings emerge
in
spring and enter
water
Fall
hatchlings
emerge
Find
wintering
location on
land or
water
Adult
Hatchling
Terrapin Life Cycle: Adult
Fall
Adults burrow in
the mud
Spring
Mating occurs
In the water
Summer
Females lay
eggs
on land and
return
to water
Terrapin Life Cycle: Hatchling
Adult
Hatchling
Overwinters
hatchlings emerge
in spring and enter
the water
Fall
hatchlings
emerge
Find
wintering
location on
land or water
Reproduction
Females can store sperm for years
2 - 22 eggs per clutch (location dependent)
Up to 3 clutches per season
Nesting
Nesting
Season April – August
(location dependent)
Nest flask-shaped and 5 -
11 inches deep
Usually around 30 minutes
to complete nesting
Incubation
Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination (TSD)
Warmer temps:
90oF, 32oC
produce
females
Cooler temps:
82oF, 28oC
produce males
Average incubation period: 60 - 90 days
Hatchlings
Emerge in fall and spring
Egg tooth used to break
out of shell
Able to live off reserves for
2+ weeks
The “Missing Years"
After emergence, hatchlings spend time in salt
marsh habitats and become difficult to observe
Conservation Efforts
Currently, there is no federal protection for
the Diamondback Terrapin, however,
each state has its own protection
Legal Status Per Region
Northeastern Region:
MA:Threatened
RI:
Endangered
CT:
State regulated
NY:
State regulated
Mid-Atlantic Region:
NJ:
Species of Concern
DE:
Species of Concern
MD:
State regulated
VA:
Species of Concern
Legal Status Per Region
Southeastern Region:
NC:
Special Concern
SC:
No listing
GA:
Special Concern
Florida Region: No listing
Gulf Coast Region:
AL:
Special Concern
MS:
Special Concern
LA:
Special Concern &
Game Animal
TX:
No listing
Anthropogenic Threats
Human development around marshes can cause
habitat erosion and can eliminate nesting areas.
Anthropogenic Threats
Crab traps can cause
drowning
Vehicular
damage
Natural Threats
Education is the Key!
Turtle Excluder Devices
Road crossing signs
Terrapin Head
Start
DTWG Purpose:
The Diamondback Terrapin Working Group
has prepared this presentation to provide a
brief overview of the natural history and
conservation efforts within the range of the
species.
DTWG Objectives:
• Advocate and promote scientific surveys/studies;
identify causes of changes to populations
• Identify threats to populations
• Maintain database of populations studied
• Provide advice/recommendations for research,
management, and conservation
DTWG Objectives:
• Promote and assist with educational
programming
• Meet every three years for "Workshop on the
Ecology, Status and Conservation of
Diamondback Terrapins"
• Serve as a source of information on
Diamondback terrapins and their habitat
Credits
Chesapeake Terrapin Alliance:
http://www.cterrapin.org/terrapinsinchina.html
Diamondback Terrapin Working Group:
http://www.dtwg.org/
Georgia Sea Turtle Center:
http://www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org/kids-spot/turtles-tortoises-
and-terrapins-oh-my/diamondback-terrapin/
Hofstra University:
http://people.hofstra.edu/Russell_L_Burke/terrapin-nyc.htm
Project Terrapin Blogspot:
http://terrapinstationnj.blogspot.com/2009/07/welcome-to-
terrapin-station-nj.html
Slides Prepared by Dr. Russ Burke, Dr. John Wnek and Ms. Kim Belfer
Credits
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources:
http://yellowfin.dnr.sc.gov/ACEHerpGuide/Pages/Turtles/Emydid
ae/Malaclemysterrapin.html
The New York Turtle and Tortoise Society:
http://nytts.org/proceedings/wood-rdk.htm
Western Connecticut State University:
http://people.wcsu.edu/pinout/herpetology/mterrapin/index.html
Wetlands Institute:
http://www.terrapinconservation.org/home.htm
Slides Prepared by Dr. Russ Burke, Dr. John Wnek and Ms. Kim Belfer
QUESTIONS???
Please visit DTWG.org