TERRAPIN

any aquatic turtle of the family Emydidae, especially the diamondback terrapin (Malaclemys terrapin). The diamondback terrapin inhabits salt marshes and coastal waters from New England to the Gulf of Mexico. It was acclaimed as a gourmet's delight, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and was named for the raised patterns on the plates of its brownish or black upper shell (carapace). It has spots on its head and legs and a raised, sometimes saw-edged, ridge along the centre of the upper shell. The female, attaining a shell length of about 23 centimetres (9 inches), is considerably larger than the male, which grows to about 14 cm (5.5 in.). The diet of the diamondback terrapin includes small animals and some vegetation. The turtles of the genus Pseudemys (or Chrysemys according to some zoologists)the cooters, sliders, red-bellied and yellow-bellied turtles, and othersare sometimes referred to collectively as terrapins. Members of this genus range from the northeastern United States to Argentina. They feed on both animal and vegetable material and usually inhabit rivers, ponds, and other bodies of freshwater. The females, larger than the males, attain carapace lengths of about 1540 cm (616 in.), depending on species. Turtles of this genus generally have yellow stripes on the head and neck. Their upper shells are saw-edged at the rear and are usually covered with longitudinal wrinkles. The males have long claws on the forefeet. There are about eight species of Pseudemys; numerous races, presenting a problem in classification, are found in the southeastern United States. Several members of the genus are of economic importance. Large numbers of infant red-eared turtles, or sliders (P. scripta elegans), are sold in pet shops. These turtles are found in the central and southeastern United States and are distinguished by a large red spot behind each eye. The suwannee cooter, P. floridana (or concinna), is a large, blackish turtle of the rivers and coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It is known as suwannee chicken and is considered the tastiest member of the genus.