Page 38 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2021

LEISURE
CLASSIFICATION
CLASS: Reptilia FAMILY: Emydidae GENUS: Malaclemys SPECIES: terrapin
story by Christina Mohrman This story is part of Embrace the Gulf 2021,
sponsored by Clean Gulf Associates and Shell.
Take Action! Engage with our ETG 2021 “Call to Action” campaign and show us how you are making a di erence in your community.
• Diamondback terrapins are the only turtle in the world that lives exclusively in coastal salt marshes.
• They are named for the patterns on the top part of their shell.
• Diamondback terrapins are vital to the health of salt marshes, keeping the population of snails that eat marsh plants in check.
• Terrapins were hunted almost to extinction in the 1800s and early 1900s as part of a terrapin stew fad. Thousands of local Biloxi
terrapins were shipped to markets in the northeast United States.
• Terrapins are currently listed as a species of concern in Mississippi. Threats to terrapin populations include habitat loss and drowning
inside blue crab traps.
• If you use crab traps, you can help protect diamondback terrapins by using a simple “terrapin excluder device” placed on the crab trap
funnel. It keeps terrapins out and can increase your crab catch, a win-win! Ask for details when you purchase a crab shing license.
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38 | April 2021 www.smliving.net | SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living
GET TO KNOW THE GULF:
Diamondback Terrapin
Fun Facts