Diamondback Terrapin Group

General Description
This group includes one species with seven recognized races ranging from Massachusetts through southern Texas. The diamondback terrapin seldom strays from salt or brackish water and inhabits coastal marshes, tidal flats, coves, estuaries, and inner edges of barrier beaches. Individual variation is great, and some forms are confusingly alike; therefore it is best to depend heavily on geography in matching identifications. Population declines for diamondback terrapin are directly attributed to overharvesting for food (turtle soup) and the pet trade, as well as habitat destruction.

Protected or Sensitive Species Identified

Species Profile Species Links USACE Data

diamondback terrapin

Other Species Information
USACE District/Division survey summary
Protection status by state

References
Burger, J. (1977). Determinants of hatching success in diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin. American Midlland Naturalist 97:444-464.

Cagle, F.R. (1952). A Louisiana terrapin population (Malaclemys). Copeia 1951:74-76.

Conant, R., and Collins, J. T. (1998). Reptiles and amphibians of eastern and central North America: Peterson Field Guides. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York.

Ernst, C. H., Lovich, J. E., and Barbour, R. W. (1994). Turtles of the United States and Canada. N. P. Dutro, ed., Smithsonian Institution.

Gibbons, J. W., and Nelson, D. H. (1978). "The evolutionary significance of delayed emergence from the nest by hatchling turtles," Evolution 32:297-303.

Hildebrand, S. F., and Prytherch, H. F. (1947). "Diamondback terrapin culture," U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Leaflet 216:1-5.

Hurd, L. E., Smedes, G. W., and Dean, T. A. (1979). "An ecological study of a natural population of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys t. terrapin) in a Delaware salt marsh," Estuaries 2:28-33.

Lazell, J. D., Jr., and Auger, P. J. (1981). "Predation on diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) eggs by dunegrass (Ammophila breviligulata)," Copeia 1981:723-724.

Lovich, J. E., and Gibbons, J. W. (1990). "Age at maturity influences adult sex ratio in the turtle Malaclemys terrapin," Oikos 59:126-134.

Montevecchi, W. A., and Burger, J. (1975). "Aspects of the reproductive biology of the northern diamondback terrapin Malaclemys terrapin terrapin," American Midland Naturalist 94:166-178.

Pitler, R. (1985). "Malaclemys terrapin terrapin (northern diamondback terrapin) behavior," Herpetological Review 16:82.

Seigel, R. A. (1984). "Parameters of two populations of diamondback terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) on the Atlantic Coast of Florida," Vertebrate ecology and systematics: A tribute to Henry S. Fitch. R. A. Seigel, L. E. Hunt, J. L. Knight, L. Malaret, and N. L. Zuschlag, eds., University of Kansas Museum Natural History Special Publication 10:77-87.

Smith, H. M., and Smith, R. B. (1979). "Synopsis of the herpetofauna of Mexico. Vol.6, Guide to Mexican turtles," Bibliographic addendum III, John Johnson, North Bennington, VT.

Taft, A. C. (1944). "Diamond-back terrapin introduced into California," California Fish and Game 30:101-102.

Yearicks, E. F., Wood, R. C., and Johnson, W. S. (1981). "Hibernation of the northern diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin terrapin." Estuaries 4:78-80.