キスイガメは、アメリカ東部および南部の汽水域や沿岸の湿地帯に生息する小型のカメである。同心円状の明暗のリングを描く「ダイヤモンド」のような独特の甲羅模様が特徴である。ただし、種の中でも模様や色調には違いがある。オスの甲羅の平均が 13 cm なのに対し、メスは 17 cm である。
Latin Name
Malaclemys terrapin terrapin
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false
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diamondback-terrapin
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Animal Facts
Diamondback terrapins were considered a delicacy and almost hunted to extinction for their meat in the 19th Century.
The Diamondback terrapin is sexually dimorphic; the males are significantly smaller than the females.
The concentric rings within the plates of the Northern diamondback terrapin’s shell are growth rings that form as the terrapin gets larger.
Diamondback terrapins live in brackish water (areas where freshwater and seawater mix) but require visits to freshwater to avoid dehydration.
Diamondback terrapins have salt glands behind their ear which allow them to excrete excess salt that they accumulate from living in near-marine environments.
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