Diamondback Terrapin

SNOWFLAKES OF THE MARSH

Diet

• Living in the salt marsh they can eat anything from crustaceans, small fish, and mollusks including periwinkle snails

Agility

• Slow movers on land because of their heavy shell and short legs

• Move better in the water and can swim for short periods of time to find food

• Can hold their breath long enough to take a nap

Defense Mechanisms

• Excellent at camouflaging in the marsh with their tough green and black shells

• Can throw up to distract a predator as they quickly swim away

Superpower

• Only reptile in SC that lives its whole life in brackish water/salt marsh

• Each terrapin has a unique shell and skin pattern