Malaclemys terrapin littoralis

(Hay, 1904)

Vernacular names
English : Texas diamondback terrapin
French : Tortue à dos diamanté

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Emydidae
Notes : 6 other subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach up to 23 cm in shell length for a maximum weight of 1 kg. Males are much smaller than females. Shell features intricate patterns of curved dark lines. Dark spotting and lining on head and limbs. Ground coloration is grey.

Range and habitat
This subspecies only occurs in Texas. The species is found in most of eastern and Southern USA, from Cape cod to Florida, east to Texas. Lives in mangroves and coastal marshes flooded with brackish water.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : VULNERABLE
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species was hunted down to near extinction in the 1990s. It recovered partially but is now threatened by pollution and loss of habitat.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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