Type the name of the breed you're looking for below

[wpdreams_ajaxsearchlite] Don't see the breed your're looking for? Click here and let us know!
Diamondback Terrapin
[fbcomments]

Diamondback Terrapin

Place of Origin and Range The Diamondback Terrapin or simply terrapin, is a species of turtle native to the brackish coastal swamps of the eastern and southern United States.
Description The common name refers to the diamond pattern on top of its shell (carapace), but the overall pattern and colouration vary greatly. The shell is usually wider at the back than in the front, and from above its appears wedge-shaped. The shell colouring can vary from brown to grey, and its body colour can be grey, brown, yellow, or white. All have a unique pattern of wiggly, black markings or spots on their body and head. The diamondback terrapin has large webbed feet.
Morph Patterns Available Yes
Adult Size Can grow up to 9in (22cm)
Accommodation This species occurs naturally in brackish water, requiring them same in their habitat. This can be created using marine sea salt, as sold for salt water aquariums. They require large enclosures, semi-aquatic, temperatures above 60 °F (16 °C), and bedding composed of grasses or grass-based hay.
Lifespan Can live 10 + years
Feeding / Diet They are carnivorous, consuming a wide variety of aquatic invertebrates including crayfish, freshwater clams, snails, aquatic larvae, tadpoles and various insects. They will also eat fish and carrion. A hatchling's diet is much more carnivorous than an adult's, and may slowly acquire a taste for aquatic plants as the turtle matures.
Breeding Mating behavior appears to be triggered by rain; in captivity, spraying males with water results in them chasing females and attempting to mount. Nothing is known of nesting behavior in the wild. One, two, or rarely three eggs are laid per clutch; in captivity, laying usually occurs in the night or early morning. Females produce up to three clutches per year. A plastron hinge develops to ease laying. Three captive incubation's have succeeded, with a duration of 106, 110, and 145 days.
Recent Blog Posts
  • Who is your Vet? Demystifying the facts!

    People are creatures of habit and we repeatedly do things that we have done in the past.  We drive the same route to and from work, we shop at the same stores, we buy gas at the same gas stations.  We are often on auto-pilot and don’t give a lot of thought to why we […]

  • Meet Dr. Katz at Petmapz!

    My name is Dr. Katz Piller and most of my clients refer to me as “Dr. Katz”. I have had meaningful relationships with various animals since I was a toddler and after losing one horse to severe colic and another to cancer. I made a commitment to studying veterinary medicine and to helping alleviate the […]

  • Why you should have your pet spayed or neutered

    The decision to spay or neuter your pet is an important one for pet owners. But it can be the single best decision you make for their long-term welfare. A USA Today (May 7, 2013) article cites that pets who live in the states with the highest rates of spaying/neutering also live the longest. According […]