On our second to last field trip we went to the South Carolina Aquarium. In the back storage room we were able to handle and observe different reptiles, turtles, and amphibians. One of these species was the Malaclemys terrapin or better known as the Diamondback terrapin. This specific one was and adult that was about 13 inches long.
This species can be found through most of the east coast from as south as the Florida Keys to as North as Cape Cod. They are usually found in brackish water channels, lagoons, marshes, and coastlines. They are easily identifiable with their light gray skin that has black spots and streaks. They are also known to have large back legs and webbed feet. Males usually have a smaller body and head when compared to their female counterparts.
In the past they were considered a delicacy because of their apparently sweet meet. This brought them to the brink of extinction as they were relentlessly hunted. They have since recovered by being protected in several states, and protection of their nests in beachgrass where removal is against the law.
Source: http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Malaclemys_terrapin/
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2 comments:
The malaclemys terrapin is my favorite species of turtle, so it was really cool to observe them at the aquarium. It's crazy that people would eat them so much and bring them to the point of extinction, but I'm glad that conservation efforts are in place so that the populations of these cute turtles are able to grow and their contribution to biodiversity is kept.
I wish I could see the photo! 13 inches or 13 cm?
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