LEARNING MORE THROUGH
RESEARCH
The goal is to find out more about dia-
mondback terrapin ecology, life history and
conservation methods. Education is an inte-
gral part of the program. Teachers, stu-
dents and volunteers participate in working
with us in meeting these goals. Project ter-
rapin includes the following research objec-
tives in conjunction with scientists at
Drexel University, PA:
 Mark and recapture of terrapins.
 Study nesting terrapins and their habi-
tats.
 Measure nest conditions like tempera-
ture, moisture and soil type.
 Educate others about the biology, life
history and conservation of terrapins.
 Promote the conservation of terrapins
using current scientific
information
through research.
 Support
the Diamondback Terrapin
Working Group (DTWG).

Project
Terrapin
Help Us to Learn More About
Northern Diamondback
Terrapins at Barnegat Bay


Help support Project Terrapin by becoming a
member of our terrapin team.
The Marine Academy of Technology and
Environmental Science (MATES) of the Ocean
County Vocational Technical School District
is working along with scientists at Drexel
University, PA & other supporters.

You can get involved by doing one or more of
the following...


Providing volunteer research time on
the project in the field


Assisting with obtaining donations of
materials and supplies


Helping to conduct surveys and

education

Check out our website at
projectterrapin.org


Projectterrapin/facebook


You could directly contact us via e-mail at
ProjectTerrapin@gmail.com

The following are supporters of terrapin re-
search, education and conservation at
Barnegat Bay, New Jersey:
Project Terrapin is a research
and education initiative of the
Marine Academy of Technology
and Environmental Science
(MATES), New Jersey focusing on
diamondback
terrapins at
Barnegat Bay, New Jersey.
Drawing by Laura Barry, class of ‘08 of the Marine
Academy of Technology and Environmental Science, NJ

Terrapins are a turtle found in estuaries,
bays, lagoons, and creeks along the East
and Gulf Coasts of the United States.
There are seven subspecies of terrapins
throughout their range. The subspecies in
our area, the Northern Diamondback Ter-
rapin (Malaclemys terrapin terrapin), is
within the northern-most part of the range.


Terrapins feed in marsh systems on inverte-
brates and small fish. Their diets consist of
snails, shrimp, crabs, worms, and mussels.
Adult females grow larger than males, be-
coming mature in 6 to 8 years. Males ma-
ture in 3 to 5 years. Females dig nests on
barrier island bay beaches and small
dredge islands. Females deposit clutches
of eggs (between 4 and 20) which incu-
bate approximately 60 to 90 days.
Hatchlings emerge in late summer and av-
erage only 5 grams. Sometimes hatchlings
remain in the nest throughout the winter
(called overwintering).
Northern Diamondback
Terrapins...an overview
Threats to Terrapins
 During the late 1800’s and early
1900’s, terrapins were harvested as a
food source throughout their range. This
harvesting trend declined after the
1930’s.
 Commercial-style crab pots kill thou-
sands of terrapins annually across their
range. Terrapins that are able to access
the pots cannot escape, thus drown.
Many pots become lost when they
break from their mooring and become
abandoned (called “ghost traps”).
 Sometimes motor boats can directly im-
pact terrapins causing mortality by cut-
ting terrapins with their propellers.
 Another source of mortality is by high-
way traffic. Nesting female terrapins
trying to cross roadways sometimes get
run over. The Wetlands Institute in
Stone Harbor, NJ has an egg retrieval
and hatch program. Eggs are taken
from the dead or injured females and
incubated to hatch. Then, hatchlings are
raised and released.


 Overdevelopment causes both destruc-
tion and fragmentation of terrapin hab-
itat that can decrease populations.
Things you can do...

Terrapins are considered a species of special
concern in New Jersey. Little is known about
their population.

You can help by acting or spreading the
word….

 Avoid using boats and/or personal water
craft around marsh systems and in sub-
merged aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds.


If using commercial-style crab pots, USE
BYCATCH REDUCTION DEVICES (turtle
excluders). Contact MATES Project Terra-
pin to acquire them.


If driving on roadways adjacent to marsh
areas during the months of May, June or
July, DRIVE SLOWLY. Adult female ter-
rapins may be coming up to nest.





 Do not take terrapins from the wild. In
New Jersey, it is illegal to take turtles
from the wild or to release them.

 Do not support the “on-line” turtle indus-
try. They may be a source of future de-
pletion of species and are very hard to
provide care!

For more information on terrapins:

MATES Project Terrapin at
Projectterrapin.org
Wetlands Institute at terrapinconservation.org
Diamondback Terrapin Working Group at dtwg.org