Reptiles of North Carolina

Scientific Name:	Common Name:		Family (Alpha):

NC Records
Emydidae Members:
Malaclemys terrapin - Diamondback Terrapin

Photo: Newman

Photos: Adrian O'Neal

Taxonomy

Class: Reptilia

Order: Testudines

Family: Emydidae

Subfamily: Deirochelyinae

Other Common Name(s): Diamond-backed Terrapin

- Diamond-backed Terrapin


Taxonomic Comments: Malaclemys is a monotypic genus found only along the east coast of North America (Ernst and Lovich, 2009)
Species Comments: Seven subspecies are currently recognized (SSAR, 2016), with two -- the Northern Diamondback Terrapin (M. t. terrapin) and the the Carolina Diamondback Terrapin (M. t. centrata) -- reportedly occurring in North Carolina (Palmer and Braswell, 1995; Ernst and Lovich, 2009). Palmer and Brawell, however, did not find it possible to separate the two subspecies based on morphological features in North Carolina. Consequently, we just treat this turtle at the species level.

Identification

Basis for Records: A good quality photograph is usually sufficient to identify this species. Location in the brackish waters of the sounds provides important supporting evidence.

Field Marks: The skin is usually gray with darker gray spots and other markings; the prominent yellow or red stripes and spots found on other pond turtles are absent in this species (Palmer and Braswell, 1995).

Morphological Features: The scutes on the carapace are rough and often raised, with concentric ridges or striations; a low and often knobby keel is also present (Palmer and Braswell, 1995; Ernst and Lovich, 2009). Females have broad heads with crushing surfaces on their jaws. Females are typically much larger than the males. In North Carolina maximum carapace lengths are: 8.3" (212 mm), females and 5.6" (141 mm), males (Palmer and Braswell).

Technical Reference: Palmer and Braswell (1995); Ernst and Lovich (2009)

Online Photos: Google iNaturalist GBIF

Distribution in North Carolina

Distribution Comments: The nominate subspecies supposedly occurs from Massachusetts to Cape Hatteras and the Carolina Diamondback Terrapin from Cape Hatteras south to Florida (Ernst and Lovich, 2009). In North Carolina, we have records from all coastal counties except several that border the inner portion of the Albemarle Sound.
Distribution Reference: Palmer and Braswell (1995); NCMNS Herpetology Collection Database (accessed 2023-01)
County Map: Clicking on a county returns the records for the species in that county.

Key Habitat Requirements

Habitat: This species is associated with brackish and salt water habitats of the sounds south of Roaonoke Island; the Albemarle Sound to the north is largely freshwater and is largely avoided by this species. Occupied habitats include tidal creeks, marshes, and mudflats (Palmer and Braswell,1995).

Life History and Autecology

General Ecology

Adverse Environmental Impacts

Status in North Carolina

NHP State Rank: S3

Global Rank: G4

Status in North Carolina: SC

Photo Gallery for Malaclemys terrapin - Diamondback Terrapin		21 photos are shown.
	Recorded by: Jackie Goodman Currituck Co. Comment:	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:	Recorded by: R. Newman Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Angie Shipp-Pennock New Hanover Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Angie Shipp-Pennock New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: L. Eckart Carteret Co. Comment:	Recorded by: L. Eckart Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann New Hanover Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther New Hanover Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Erich Hofmann and Kayla Weinfurther New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: M.Windsor Onslow Co. Comment:	Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, B. Swanson, J. Anderson et. al New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, B. Swanson, J. Anderson et. al New Hanover Co. Comment:	Recorded by: B. Bockhahn, B. Swanson, J. Anderson et. al New Hanover Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: R. Keenan New Hanover Co. Comment:	Recorded by: S. Bland and D. Smith Onslow Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Newman, Randy Carteret Co. Comment:	Recorded by: Newman Carteret Co. Comment:
	Recorded by: Adrian O'Neal New Hanover Co. Comment:

Malaclemys terrapin - Diamondback Terrapin

Photo Gallery for Malaclemys terrapin - Diamondback Terrapin

21 photos are shown.