O cágado-diamante-do-norte é uma espécie de pequena tartaruga que vive nos pântanos costeiros e salobros do Leste e do Sul dos Estados Unidos. Ele é caracterizado pelo padrão distinto do casco, com "diamantes" entrelaçados que tendem a apresentar anéis concêntricos claros e escuros em seu interior. No entanto, as cores e padrões variam dentro da própria espécie. O comprimento médio do casco dos machos é de 13 cm, ao passo que o da fêmea costuma ter cerca de 17 cm.
Latin Name
Malaclemys terrapin terrapin
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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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