Terrapins gave their name to a colloquialism for the War of 1812 — 'the Terrapin War' — because, through the blockade, the United States was shut up tight in its shell like a terrapin …

Terrapin, (Malaclemys terrapin), a term formerly used to refer to any aquatic turtle but now restricted largely, though not exclusively, to the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) of …

Aug 19, 2025 · While the term “terrapin” is often used broadly, it most specifically refers to the Diamondback Terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). This species belongs to the family Emydidae, …

Terrapins are keystone predators of periwinkle snails that graze smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), the primary plant species that makes up our salt marsh. When terrapins and other …

Learn about diamondback terrapins, including their habitat, diet, range and population status, and where you can find them at the National Aquarium.

The diamondback terrapin or simply terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is a species of terrapin native to the brackish coastal tidal marshes of the East Coast of the United States and the Gulf of …

The name "terrapin" is derived from torope, a word in the Native American Algonquian language that refers to the species, Malaclemys terrapin. It appears that it became part of common …

Aug 21, 2025 · A terrapin is a semi-aquatic reptile, a middle ground between a turtle and a tortoise. Unlike land-dwelling tortoises, terrapins spend significant time in water, yet lack the …

Aug 18, 2025 · The term “terrapin” generally refers to small turtles of the order Testudines, living in fresh or brackish water. Derived from “torope,” an Algonquian word, it primarily describes …

Terrapins are an important predator of the salt marsh snails that feeds on salt marsh cord grass (Spartina alterniflora). When terrapins, and other predators, are removed, snails overgraze the …