Diamondback Terrapin

Diamondback Terrapin

Start

Explore Diamondback Terrapins

The Turtle Shell

The inner layer of a turtle's shell is made up of about 60 bones that include portions of the backbone and the ribs. This means that a turtle cannot crawl out of its shell. The outer layer of the shell is covered by horny scales called scutes that are made up of keratin. Scales of lizards and your fingernails are also made up of keratin. Turtles don't shed their shells when they grow. Their shell can grow with them just like your bones grow when you become taller.

Next

The Life of a Terrapin

Water life

Egg

Terrapins spend most of their time in the water looking for food or resting.

Terrapins dig nests in sand or gravel. The eggs are covered and left alone.

Diamondback terrapins may live 30 years or longer.

Laying eggs

Hatchling

After about six years mama turtles find a nice spot to lay eggs

After 60 to 100 days eggs hatch! How exciting!

Next

What is a terrapin's favorite food?

Reveal the picture by answering questions

Question 01

Are terrapins

herbivores (plant eaters)?

omnivores (plant and animal eaters)?

strict carnivores (eat only meat)?

Terrapin Food 2

Question 02

Do terrapins eat more plants or more animals?

Just a little bit of plants and mostly animals.

A lot of plants and hardly any animals.

About half plants, half animals.

Terrapin Food 3

Question 03

How do terrapins chew their food?

They have teeth.

They have powerful jaws, but no teeth.

They eat only soft food.

Terrapin Food 4

Question 04

Are terrapins fast hunters?

Super fast!

Lightning fast!

Maybe faster than you would think, but not really fast. They are turtles after all!

Terrapin Food 5

Question 05

Do terrapins like fish?

Yes, they love to eat fish if they can get one.

Nope!

Only as fish sticks.

Terrapin Food 6

Question 06

How about crabs?

Crabs are great food but not easy to catch.

No, they don't like crabs.

Crabs are too hard to catch.

Terrapin Food 7

Question 07

Do terrapins like clams and mussels?

No, clams are too muddy.

Too hard to crack open.

Large terrapins are able to eat a lot of clams and mussels.

Terrapin food 8

Question 08

How about marine snails?

Snails, that's gross!

Marine snails are the best!

Snails only live on land.

Terrapin food 9

Question 09

Which snails are the terrapins main food source?

Slugs

Saltmarsh periwinkles

Knobbed whelk

Terrapin Food 10

Question 10

Where do saltmarsh periwinkles live?

They live in lakes.

They live on saltmarsh grass.

They swim in the ocean.

Terrapin Food Final

CONGRATULATIONS!

Diamondback terrapins love to eat saltmarsh periwinkles. They also eat fish, mussels, clams, crabs, and some plants.

Start over

Next

Diamondback Terrapins' Habitat

Delaware Bay

Diamondback terrapins are the only turtles in the world that live only in estuaries. An estuary is a body of water where freshwater from rivers and salty ocean water mix. The Delmarva Peninsula is surrounded by estuaries: The Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, and the Coastal Bays are all estuaries.

Coastal Bays

Chesapeake Bay

Next

Save the Terrapins!

Diamondback terrapins used to be a common food for people, first for slaves in the 1700's, then for the upper class in the 1800's. By 1920 there were not many left. Today, terrapins are not allowed to be taken from the wild in Maryland.

To prevent terrapins from getting accidentally trapped in crab pots, people now install turtle excluders. It's easy and makes life for terrapins much saver!

Next

Terrapin Adaptations