Terrapins are a group of several species of small turtle (order Testudines) living in fresh or brackish water. Terrapins do not form a taxonomic unit and may not be closely related. Many belong to the families Geoemydidae and Emydidae.

The diamondback terrapin or simply terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is a species of terrapin native to the brackish coastal tidal marshes of the East Coast of the United States and the Gulf of Mexico coast, as well as in Bermuda. [6] . It belongs to the monotypic genus Malaclemys.

terrapin, (Malaclemys terrapin), a term formerly used to refer to any aquatic turtle but now restricted largely, though not exclusively, to the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) of the turtle family Emydidae.

Terrapins are aquatic turtles so they will live near large bodies of water, like rivers, lakes, ponds, and marshes. They can be found on every continent with the exception of Australia and South America. They basically share the same habitats as most turtle species.

Mar 1, 2019 · Turtles, tortoises and terrapins are reptiles with bony or cartilaginous shells. They belong to the taxonomic order of Testudines, or Chelonii – which comes from the Greek word ‘khelone’, meaning interlocking shields or armour.

Oct 26, 2020 · Terrapins are actually turtles, and while they do not belong to a distinct species, all terrapins are turtles. In fact, some use the term terrapin to simply refer to freshwater turtles. Terrapins are endemic to brackish and freshwater habitats …

Terrapins are sexually dimorphic. Females are much larger than males. Males range between 4 and 5 inches. Females average nearly 7 inches. The largest terrapin on record was a female measuring 9 inches. A terrapin is one of several small species of …

Jul 15, 2023 · Terrapins are versatile freshwater turtles with unique shell patterns, omnivorous diets, and impressive swimming abilities. They play a vital role in wetland ecosystems and are the focus of conservation efforts due to habitat loss. Female terrapins are larger than males, and they hibernate during winter.

Terrapins are keystone predators of periwinkle snails that graze smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), the primary plant species that makes up our salt marsh. When terrapins and other predators are removed, snails overgraze the cordgrass, leaving a barren mudflat.

Jul 28, 2023 · The Science Issue and Relevance: The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is a relatively small turtle that is the only estuarine turtle species in the United States (U.S.).