As the water temperatures warm we are beginning to see more turtle activity along the creek. We frequently spot Diamondback Terrapins swimming along the marsh as we paddle south towards the bay. We rarely see the terrapin out of the water, but their heads popping up like little swimming sticks in the water is a common sight.
 

The word terrapin is used to refer to a number of species of small turtles living in fresh or brackish water around the globe. The Diamondback Terrapin is also frequently referred to simply as 'terrapin'. The diamondback is native to the brackish waters of the eastern and southern United States and its range extends from the Florida Keys to Cape Cod.
 

The name diamondback comes from the distinctive diamond pattern on the shell. The terrapin can also be identified by the pattern of wiggly black markings and spots on their body and head. The terrapin's shell color ranges from brown to grey and the body color may be brown, grey, yellow, or white. The male terrapin grows to a length of approximately 5 inches and the larger female grows to an average of 7.5 inches.

The Diamondback Terrapin is unique from other turtles and has made many adaptations enabling them to live in the brackish coastal marshes and to tolerate varying levels of salinity. Their skin is largely impermeable to salt and they are able to live in full strength salt water for extended periods. They also have the ability to identify drinking water with different salinities and are able to drink the freshwater layer accumulating on top of salt water during a rainfall. The terrapin can also drink by opening their mouths to catch falling raindrops.

Another unique adaptation is the terrapin's large web hind feet, which make them strong swimmers. This adaptation varies from the flippers of the sea turtle and is not present in their freshwater relatives. The terrapin diet consists of small crustaceans such as clams, shrimp, crab, mussels and snails.
  

The diamondback terrapin is threatened by human activity including loss of habitat, motorboat strikes, and car strikes. Many turtles are on the move this time of year so please keep an eye out for crossing turtles. If you stop to help a turtle in their crossing simply take them directly across the road heading in the same direction you found them and they will continue on their way.

If you'd like to keep track of diamondback terrapin activity or assist in preserving this unique eastern shore reptile visit the Diamondback Terrapin Working Group page on Facebook and report your terrapin sightings through the Maryland Coastal Bays Program at Report-A-Terrapin.