The Texas Diamondback Terrapin, Scientific name “Malaclemys Terrapin Littoralis” is part of the Emydidae family. The Diamondback Terrapin range as far as Cape Cod Massachusetts to the Texas, Mexico borders. (Hart & Lee 2006) Texas diamondbacks are one of seven subspecies known. The Texas diamondback terrapins are commonly found in brackish water near the Galveston bay area. In North America the diamondback terrapin is the only species to be able to survive in brackish water. (Pritchard 1979) Brackish water is a mixture of ocean water and freshwater witch then creates estuaries or lagoons. The brackish water contains some sea salt, just enough for the terrapins to tolerate. Terrapins in Texas have a dark carapace with a plastron that has yellow …show more content…
Terrapins were used by the Continental army in order to survive hunger and were also provided a source of energy. Year’s later slaves living on plantations would eat the turtles as a great source of protein to make it through the day. In later years such as the 1900s the Texas Diamondback Terrapins were sought after as a delicacy in many high quality restaurants along the coast. One of the earliest accounts was in Galveston Bay by the English author Charles Hooten who wrote a book based on his journal account of a visit to Texas in 1841. He along with three Spaniards caught nearly three hundred terrapins along the coastal bay in their nesting grounds and sailed back home along with other fish. (Hooten …show more content…
Fish and Wildlife Service (Connally 2012 & TPWD) Texas diamondback terrapins were almost extinct from many people eating turtle soup. The turtle soup was also made with red wine. When Prohibition laws made possessing wine illegal in the 1920s this then caused many turtles to be released, which helped save them from the brink of extinction. A conservation effort done by the Wetlands Institute was put in place to have a vehicle patrol a certain area that is known for female terrapins to cross when looking for a nesting site. The researchers and students will make frequent stops helping them cross the road in the same direction as they were going. This reduces mortality rate and encourages the reproduction rate as well. The development of the by catch reduction device (BRD) reduces the mortality rate dramatically. They are able to fit most commercial crab nets. The device has an opening big enough to still trap the fish, shrimp, or crab being caught while still allowing the terrapins to escape. Some fishermen do not like to use the by catch devices because it is time consuming to them and they lose there bait frequently. Texas Parks And wildlife monitor frequently for BRD’s to be in place and those who do not comply face certain fines or the possibility of loosing their license. A way researches are measuring the population in recent years is along a