The diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys terrapin, is found in undeveloped areas along the coasts. It has a gray to black shell. Females may reach a length of 9". It is active during the day.

The diamondback terrapin is not like most turtles in North America because it is able to live in brackish estuaries and salt marshes. The diamondback survives in coastal habitats from Maine to Texas because it it adaptable. Terrapins live in our backyard in the Patcong Creek, Great Egg Harbor River and Bay. What other animals live in the wetlands habitat?

Terrapins are different from turtles because they are edible. The unique characteristic of being an attractive food source for people has affected the New Jersey terrapin in an interesting way. During the "Roaring Twenties," the terrapin became an important ingredient in the popular terrapin stew served in exclusive restaurants.

Diamondbacks in New Jersey were overhunted. Many diamondbacks were imported from the Louisianna area. When the stockmarket crashed in 1929, many of these Louisianna "imports" were released into the New Jersey wetlands. As a result of this unintentional introduction of new varieties of terrapins, the New Jersey diamondback terrapin has an interesting diversity of shell patterns. The New Jersey diamondbacks have a wide variety of shell patterns and coloring.