Diamondback Terrapins of the New York City Area
Burke RL. 2005. Diamondback Terrapins of the New York City Area
The familiar diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) lives year-round in the bays and estuaries of Gateway National Recreation Area (see this also). Summer visitors to Gateway often see nesting terrapins, and this may the only reptile they ever see in its natural habitat. The terrapin story is an interesting one, in part because humans have had such dramatic impacts on this harmless and appealing turtle. Diamondback terrapins are the only turtles that live in the ocean, except for the much larger sea turtles. Adult female terrapins have shells 6-9 inches (15-23 cm) long, while males reach only 4-5 Y:,inches (10-14 em) long.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Burke, Russell
- Date of Issue
- 2005-06-19
- Units
- GATE
- Keywords
- Diamondback Terrapin