Diamondback terrapins are turtles that inhabit estuaries along the east and Gulf coasts of the United States. They range from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to northern Mexico. Terrapins were harvested in the late 1800’s through the early 1900’s as a food source with a high demand leading to reductions in their populations across their range. In the 1930’s, terrapins became less desirable food sources and populations increased in areas with good habitat, but not much is known about populations in certain areas. What make terrapins so interesting are their markings, which are highly variable and prominent. Reasons for the variation include genetic diversity and some variations in their patterns could be linked to environmental conditions.
About Friends of County Parks
The Friends of the County Parks, established in 1988, is a group of concerned citizens joining together to promote financial and community support to the Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Department. They develop public awareness of recreation as an important part of day-to-day life.
Funds provided by The Friends of the County Parks are used as a supplement to the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department budget and does not replace allocated tax dollars. These additional funds helps maintain, improve, and enhance services provided by the Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department. The Friends of the County Parks enjoys a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit exemption status.
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Developed by George L. Heinrich and Timothy J. Walsh for the Florida Turtle Conservation Trust. Illustrations by Charles H. Miller. Funding provided by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program. (2010)
“In nature there are
neither rewards nor
punishments; there are
consequences.”
Robert Green Ingersoll
(1833-1899)
wat
ch o
ut f
or
boa
ts
Instructions
(2-4 players)
Each player should roll the die.
The person that rolls the highest
number goes first, followed by the
player to their right. The first
player to make it to the
nesting beach wins.
stay away fro
m
crab pots
injured by shark
(move back 2)
excluded from
crab pot with BRDs
(move ahead 3)
Diamondback Terrapins: Living on the Edge
injur
ed by
boat
(mov
e bac
k 3)
avoided a jet
ski
(move ahead 2
)
encountered a
n
oil slick
(move back 3)
found dwarf
surf clams to
eat
(move ahead 3
)
avoided shark
attack
(move ahead 2)
alm
ost hit by car
(m
ove back 3)
es
ca
pe
d
fr
om
ch
ild
re
n
(m
ov
e
ah
ea
d
2)
you’re almost
there
locate a nesting
site w
ithout
fire ants
you have
successfully
nested
You are an adult female diamondback terrapin
and it is nesting season. You will travel from
the creek where you normally live to an island
where you nest each summer. Along the way
you will meet many challenges. Can you safely
make it there and back home again?
made ill by red
tide (move back 3)
dro
wne
d in
cra
b
pot
wit
h no
BR
Ds
be careful as you
exit the water
found marsh
periwinkles to eat
(move ahead 2)
disturbed by
fi
sherm
en
(m
ove back 2)
wa
tc
h
fo
r d
og
s
as
y
ou
c
ra
wl
u
p
th
e
be
ac
h
av
o
id
e
d
a
f
o
u
r
-w
h
e
e
le
r
(m
o
v
e
a
h
e
a
d
2
)
look
out
for
rac
coo
ns
es
ca
pe
d
fr
om
d
og
s
(m
ov
e
ah
ea
d
2)
w
atch out
for cars