Diamondback Terrapin

Name: Diamondback Terrapin           

Scientific Name: Malaclemys Terrapin           

Endangered Status: Near threatened           

Info: Terapins are the only species of turtles that live in brackish water.  They get their name from the shape of the scutres on their carapase (back).  With large webbed teeth and sharp nails these turtles love to be in the water.  Spending the majority of their life in the water these turtles love to eat crabs and crustaceans.  As a keystone speices of the tidal salt marsh this turtle helps indicate the health of the ecosystem.                                

Sightings: Walker's Landing, Drummond Point Park