Description

Malaclemys terrapin is also called diamondback turtles becasue of the diamond shaped scutes of their shell. Diamondback turtles is a medium sized turtle (ca 23 cm) from North- America. Their appearace is highly variable, the color of their shell can vary from black to ivory with a fine pattern to bold rings. Their skin can range from dark grey to bony white with a many small spots to only a few big spots or streaks. The subspecies macrospilota is one of more easily recognisable suspecies. They are also called the Ornate diamondback, because of their beautiful apperance. The shell has a black color with a orange or yellow center on each scute. The dorsal shield plates have nodules. The skin is white to gray, animals with white skin can sometimes show a pinkish or blue tint. The skin pattern varies from large spots to small spots and sometimes no spots at all. 

Currently 7 subspecies are recognised:

• Malaclemys terrapin terrapin
• Malaclemys terrrapin centrata
• Malaclemys terrapin tequesta
• Malaclemys terrapin rhizophorarum
• Malaclemys terrapin macrospilota
• Malaclemys terrapin littoralis
• Malaclemys terrapin pileata

Temperament

Adult Malaclemys are very tolerant towards eachother. Both males and females can be kept in groups, provided the enclosure is big enough. Lack of space can result in biting of the feet and tail. Males have a strong urge to mate so a male should be housed with several females to prevent a female getting stressed by the constant attentions of the male. 

Unlike adults, juveniles can be very nippy, even when they have enough space.  When the keeper doesn't intervene in time this can result in serious injuries. Seperate the animals at the first signs of agression.

Husbandry

• Size aquarium: 150 – 120x50x50 cm or larger.
• Watertemperature: 22 – 26 degrees celcius.
• Temperature onder warmtelamp: 35 – 40 degrees celcius.
• Freguson zone: 3

Malaclemys are medium sized turtles and very strong swimmers. In order to provide them with enough space the aquarium should be at least 120 cm for 1 or 2 animals. A high waterlevel is a good way to provide the animals with more space to swim. As sustrate river sand is suitable. It looks better than no substrate and it provides enrichment for the animals. Don't use gravel as it traps dirt and can be swallowed by the animals. A few big pieces of driftwood can also be added to the tank. The animals like to use these to rub their shell or to sleep under.

Adding life plants is pointless as these will be quickly torn apart by the animals.  Fake plants are usable as are some floating plants like duckweed. 

In their natural habitat, the diamondback turtle lives in brackish water. The adult females regularly spend long periods in seawater in search of food. In captivity, this diamondbacks can be kept both in brackish water and in fresh water. If the animals are kept in brackish water, they should be given access to fresh water to drink at least once a week. . Despite the fact that this species lives in brackish water, they cannot drink salt water like sea turtles and excrete the excess salt. However, they have a high tolerance to a high salt concentration in their bodily fluids.

Malaclemys are very sensitive to water quality. In dirty water, especially in fresh water, they are very susceptible to shield rot and fungal infection of the skin. Because they are messy eaters and the amount of waste they produce, it is very important to filter the water well to keep the animals healthy. A filter with a capacity of at least twice the size of the aquarium in which the animals are housed is recommended. In addition to good filtration, regular water changes are needed to keep the nitrate content and bacterial pressure of the water low.

The land area where the animals can sunbathe must be completely dry and the animals should be able to climb on it easily. One or more heat lamps can be hung above the island. Different types of lamps can be chosen, as long as they provide a temperature of at least 35 degrees and the animals are exposed to both uva and uvb. 

Hatchling husbandry

Hatchling diamondback turtles require a different type of husbandry from adults and bigger juveniles.  Wild hatchlings remain almost constantly hidden because they are heavily preyed upon. In capitvity hatchlings are also much more shy compared to their bigger conspecifics. A aquarium for hatchlings should provide them with lots of cover in the form of plants and wood. This helps them to feel safe so they will eat and grow better. The first few months of their life they should be kept in shallow water, 10 - 15 cm is enough. A piece of work or a bunch of plants are suites af both a basking spot and hiding place. A localised heatspot of 30 - 35 degrees celcius is hot enough. It is beneficial to provide hatchlings with uvb. 

Nutrition

Malaclemys terrapin are carnivores. Their diet primarily consists of mollusks like snails and mussels, crabs, fish and carrion. To mimic the natural diet of wild diamondbacks our animals are offered the following foods: garden snails, several species of fish, squid, mussels, shrimp and pinky mice. Because much of their diet is frozen-thawed, their diet is supplemented by several types of turtle pellets to prevent any nutrient deficiences. They always have acces to pieces of sepia to provide an additional source of calcium.

The diet of the juveniles is similar to that of the adults. They are also fed small prey items like pillbugs, worms and musquito larvea.