By Nylah Nash 

To start off, Diamondback Terrapins are a species of turtle native to brackish, tidal marshes on the coast. 

 Their diet mainly consists of meat but they sometimes ingest tiny amounts of plant material. They possess strong jaws and crushing plates in their mouths that qualify them to eat hard shell prey such as crabs, aquatic snails, and small bivalves including mussels and clams according to aqua.com. Not only do Diamondback Terrapins eat all these other animals but some animals also consume them such as raccoons, foxes, skunks, Norway rats, and gulls. 

The Diamondback Terrapin is believed to be the only turtle in the world that lives in brackish water. Unlike other turtle species, the Diamondback has a higher shell, a white upper lip, and a grayish-colored carapace. Female Diamondbacks grow much longer than males, measuring roughly around 19 cm in length across their carapace ( top shell ). Male Terrapins are slightly smaller than female Terrapins measuring approximately 13 cm. The largest female on record was just over 23 cm (9 in) in carapace length. Lastly, did you know Diamondback Terrapins hibernate during the cold winter months because they are sensitive to cold weather and have a specialized diet that can be threatened by winter. They stay buried in mud at the bottom of tidal creeks, completely inactive. 

 There are many threats to Diamondback Terrapins such as climate change and loss of habitat, and important nesting loss. 

 The Diamondback Terrapin is a critical species to the Hudson River watershed, this is because they help their habitat thrive by eating marsh snails which in high numbers can harm marsh grasses. Diamondback Terrapins eat marsh snails which are important because they help keep marshes healthy through the consumption of periwinkle snails, which can overgraze smooth cordgrass when populations are left unchecked. 

                              Fun facts about Diamondback Terrapins  

1. The Diamondback Terrapin is the only marine species of turtle that regularly occurs in Connecticut

2. During the early 1930s, Terrapin numbers decreased, and the popularity of this turtle as a food item also decreased.

3. Diamondbacks get their name from the natural pattern that occurs on the scutes of their shell. 

4. Diamondback Terrapins usually live for 25 to 40 years in the wild.

Diamondback Terrapins are endangered, and we as people are a major proponent in how the Terrapin became endangered. We should take responsibility, and help them recover from their dangerous situation. 

Thanks for reading my article!