South Carolina Aquarium on Charleston Harbor: Conservation and Research ~ Terrapin Conservation

The diamondback terrapin is an estuarine species that lives exclusively in brackish water. Their skin has
low permeability to both water and salt making their survival possible in this unique habitat. Terrapins only leave the water to bask in the sun or to lay their eggs—usually between 5-12 eggs per clutch. Hatchlings head to vegetation after emerging from their nest.

Crab trap with a BRD attached You can help diamondback terrapins by modifying your crab traps. Recreational crabbing is popular in South Carolina. Unfortunately, diamondback terrapins may be unwanted visitors in crab traps. A terrapin may be enticed into crab pots by the bait as well as the crabs already caught. A group of male terrapins may follow a female into crab traps in hopes of finding a mate.

Terrapins breathe using lungs. They are not always able to hold their breath long enough to be pulled up by a fisherman and as a result, may drown in the trap.

Diamondback Terrapin

Deaths in crab traps can be decreased by attaching bycatch reduction devices (BRDs) to each opening of the crab trap. If installed properly, the BRD can prevent turtles from entering the crab trap, but will leave enough of an opening to allow crabs to enter. This is just one effort
that may help in the preservation of this important estuarine species.


Step 1 Obtain a 2x6 inch BRD for each opening in the crab pot.	Step 2 Orient the excluder in a vertical direction to the opening on the trap.	Step 3 Use 4 zip ties to loop through the trap and BRD to attach the BRD at each corner.	Step 4 Use a minimum of 4 zip ties to attach the excluder. More zip ties may be necessary depending on the trap.

Range:	Diet: Marsh snails, fiddler crabs, some marsh vegetation, insects and worms
	Fun Fact: When a terrapin feels threatened, it may vomit to make a quick escape.