Maryland Terrapins
Maryland terrapins, also known as diamondback terrapins, are the only group of turtles which are found in the brackish water of the Maryland estuaries and Chesapeake Bay.
Maryland terrapins are considered as the gourmet delicacy for a long time and hence a huge number of terrapins were being killed every year to satisfy the greedy guts of human beings.
In some places, the commercial harvesting of terrapins is still considered as a great practice.
This has significantly caused reduction in the number of Maryland terrapins to such extent that the existence of these cute, tiny and helpless creatures are seriously threatened and they are now standing almost on the verge of extinction.
Along with many other countries, thousands of Maryland or diamondback terrapins were also used to be exported every year as foods.
Conservationists and biologist have realized that export of such huge amounts can pose serious threats for the survival of this species.
Maryland terrapins are exported as pets too.
But many a times the owner gets frustrated after some days and throws them out of their terrarium, which exposes them to various predators.
Capturing and keeping wild diamondback terrapins in Maryland is unlawful.
But purchasing terrapins from authorized dealers is legal.
The actual number of harvested terrapins is sometimes not reported properly.
However the unreported ones may be much more.
Trapping of Maryland terrapins from a nesting beach can cause severe destruction (as high as 95%) within a couple of years.
To avoid destruction, Scientists in Maryland are sampling the creeks during low tide.
They capture terrapins with great care using special type of nets.
Later they are released into the water again after being measured and marked.
The collected data provides knowledge about their size, age, sex ratio, diseases and injuries etc.
Their movements can be monitored too.
By studying these data, the potential causes behind the drastic reduction of Maryland terrapins can be detected.
Causes of destruction:
To increase awareness among people, the Maryland terrapins have been made the State Reptile.
They are the University of Maryland's official mascot too.
Maryland terrapins are considered as the gourmet delicacy for a long time and hence a huge number of terrapins were being killed every year to satisfy the greedy guts of human beings.
In some places, the commercial harvesting of terrapins is still considered as a great practice.
This has significantly caused reduction in the number of Maryland terrapins to such extent that the existence of these cute, tiny and helpless creatures are seriously threatened and they are now standing almost on the verge of extinction.
Along with many other countries, thousands of Maryland or diamondback terrapins were also used to be exported every year as foods.
Conservationists and biologist have realized that export of such huge amounts can pose serious threats for the survival of this species.
Maryland terrapins are exported as pets too.
But many a times the owner gets frustrated after some days and throws them out of their terrarium, which exposes them to various predators.
Capturing and keeping wild diamondback terrapins in Maryland is unlawful.
But purchasing terrapins from authorized dealers is legal.
The actual number of harvested terrapins is sometimes not reported properly.
However the unreported ones may be much more.
Trapping of Maryland terrapins from a nesting beach can cause severe destruction (as high as 95%) within a couple of years.
To avoid destruction, Scientists in Maryland are sampling the creeks during low tide.
They capture terrapins with great care using special type of nets.
Later they are released into the water again after being measured and marked.
The collected data provides knowledge about their size, age, sex ratio, diseases and injuries etc.
Their movements can be monitored too.
By studying these data, the potential causes behind the drastic reduction of Maryland terrapins can be detected.
Causes of destruction:
- Harvested for their meat which is used in delicious food items
- Drown in the crab(or eel) pots
- Caught accidentally in the fish nets
- Destroyed nesting grounds
- Eggs and hatchling eaten up by predators like crow, raccoons etc
- Crushed be speeding vehicles while crossing the alleys
To increase awareness among people, the Maryland terrapins have been made the State Reptile.
They are the University of Maryland's official mascot too.
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