1. Selected Achievements Concerning About the Florida Turtle
Diamondback Terrapins Conservation Trust
To date, the FTCT has: The Florida Turtle Conservation Trust was formed in
ü organized and co-sponsored a symposium on the
1999 by a group of biologists and conservationists
concerned with the conservation outlook for Florida
Diamondback Terrapins
status and conservation of Florida turtles turtles. Our purpose is to promote the conservation of of Tampa Bay
all Florida turtle species and the preservation of intact,
ü co-sponsored a national workshop on the ecology, free-ranging populations and their associated ecosys-
status and conservation of diamondback terrapins tems throughout the state. The FTCT is committed to
and supports education, conservation, research, and
ü initiated the development of both a national and management efforts with the above goals in mind.
Florida Diamondback Terrapin Working Group
If you are not already a member of the Florida Turtle
ü organized Florida turtle educational exhibits at nature Conservation Trust, please consider joining us as we
festivals, environmental events and conferences work to conserve Florida’s rich turtle diversity.
Members include biologists, land managers, agency
ü co-developed and funded the Pinellas County School representatives, environmental consultants, educators,
District’s Florida turtle track pack conservationists, and concerned citizens. In addition
to supporting our conservation work, members receive
ü donated books on Florida turtles to all public school discounts on meeting registration fees and opportunities
libraries in six Florida panhandle counties to attend organized field trips. Please visit our website
for more information (www.ftct.org).
ü assisted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission with the development of a diamondback
terrapin educational poster and exhibit
ü developed a diamondback terrapin educator’s guide Florida Turtle
and associated board game
Conservation Trust
ü organized and facilitated a diamondback terrapin
educators’ workshop
Working to conserve Florida’s
rich turtle diversity
Text by George L. Heinrich, Timothy J. Walsh and
Dr. Joseph A. Butler.
Illustrations by Charles H. Miller.
FTCT logo design by Steve Smith. www.ftct.org
Brochure design by Tim Walsh and George L. Heinrich.
Published by the FTCT in March 2011.
Funding for development of this brochure was provided
by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program.
Printed on 30% post-consumer recycled paper.

2. Diamondback Terrapins of Tampa Bay Threats and Conservation Actions Laws and Regulations Pertaining to
Diamondback Terrapins in Florida
Diamondback terrapins were once common in brackish
ecosystems along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, but have Although not a state-listed species, numerous
suffered from a long history of human exploitation. researchers have demonstrated that diamondback
Current major threats to this species in Florida include: terrapins are imperiled in a literal sense. Terrapins
are designated as near threatened by the International
Loss of nesting habitat: Coastal development decreases Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Red List).
available nesting habitat and further fragments The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
populations. Acquisition and protection of these sites Commission limits the possession of terrapins and
by governmental agencies and private conservation prohibits their sale.
groups would greatly benefit terrapin conservation
efforts. Hardening of shoreline to prevent real estate
property damage also limits access to nesting habitat.
In cases where coastal armoring cannot be avoided,
The diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin) is the identifying ways to provide access to terrapin nesting
only turtle in the world that is entirely restricted to sites is recommended.
brackish water and can be found in Florida’s extensive
estuaries, mangrove and salt marsh habitats. Tampa Bay Predation: Diamondback terrapin nests and adults are
is the largest open water estuary in Florida. These an important food source for many species of wildlife.
habitats are often described as areas “where rivers meet Some subsidized predators, such as raccoons, cause
the sea” (mixture of fresh and salt water). Although considerable damage to terrapin populations at nesting
terrapins occur in 16 states along the Atlantic and Gulf sites. In some cases, control efforts may be warranted.
coasts, the coastline of Florida represents approximately
20% of their entire range. Florida terrapin populations Incidental drowning in crab pots: Mortality due to
and habitats are critical to the conservation of the entire bycatch in crab pots is the greatest threat to terrapins
species. throughout their range. Research in Florida waters
has shown that the use of simple, inexpensive bycatch
Diamondback terrapins play a significant role in the food reductions devices (BRDs) on crab pots can reduce
chain. As predators, they help to control populations of terrapin mortality by 73.2%. Regulatory change Where to See Diamondback
prey items, such as dwarf surf clams, marsh periwinkles requiring BRDs on commercial and recreational crab Terrapins in the Tampa Bay Region
and small species of crabs. Terrapins and their eggs are pots used in Florida waters would be the greatest
known to be eaten by many predators, including skunks, immediate conservation action that could be Although you might encounter a diamondback terrapin
raccoons, foxes, otters, crows, laughing gulls, and ghost implemented by the Florida Fish and Wildlife in many brackish water habitats throughout the Tampa
crabs. Conservation Commission. In addition, abandoned Bay region, they are a very secretive and cryptic
or lost traps continue to capture wildlife. Support of species. To see a terrapin up-close, you might consider
Despite the importance of Florida to diamondback derelict crab pot removal programs and participation in visiting one of the following facilities.
terrapin biology, little is known concerning this species such efforts will save terrapins and other species.
over long stretches of Florida coastline. Secretive and Florida Aquarium
cryptic, diamondback terrapins are unknown to many Several other anthropogenic threats (encounters with (www.flaquarium.org)
Floridians. Without public awareness and support, there automobiles, boat strikes, non-native species, pollution,
is little hope for this flagship species for coastal oil spills, and global climate change) are also known to
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
conservation. affect terrapins. While each threat alone is of concern,
there is an even greater concern regarding their ability (www.lowryparkzoo.com)
to work in negative synergy. It should be known,
however, that each of these conservation challenges Upper Tampa Bay Park
For more information, please visit the website of the comes along with a conservation opportunity. It’s what (www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/resources/forms/
Diamondback Terrapin Working Group (www.dtwg.org). we do with that opportunity that can make a difference. parkservices/trails96.pdf)