Details
Diamondback terrapin
Malaclemys terrapin
Head and Neck:
Head is light greyish green in color with short black oblong spots; neck with small round black spots; jaws are light-colored; top of the head may be black.
Body:
Carapace - oblong with a mid-dorsal keel; grey, brown or black in color; dorsal scutes exhibit very obvious concentric growth rings; lighter individuals often have dark concentric rings on dorsal and marginal scutes; Male 14cm and female 23 cm in straight carapace length (SCL).
Plastron - color varies from cream, yellow, orange or black with irregular dark markings on the middle and outlined with dark lines; plastral scutes may also show growth rings.
Limbs and tail:
Limbs light greyish green with black round spots; five claws on forelimbs; tail is moderately long.