??……So is this a picture of a “Pileatas” Diamond Back..???

Hi Heather, DB#1 from AK’s DB’s looks like a nothern. Mississippis are usually dark just like DB#1 but normally have fine salt and pepper markings or small spots as opposed to the teardrops and bold markings of DB#1. Not to say that you will never find a mississippi diamondback that looks like that, but that would be unusual. You will find a lot of variety in northern diamondbacks due to the integration of different subspecies imported into their range. Some northerns look impeccably like other subspecies but when trying to identify a particular specimen, one must rely on their origin. You could ask whoever you purchased yours from and they should be able to tell you the origin of your terrapin. Northerns are the most commonly harvested and captive bred out of all the subspecies whereas mississippis are rarely harvested and captive bred specimens are even more rare. I’m sure others will chime in – diamondback terrapin identification is always an intriguing exercise! -Stephen C — In diamondbackterrapins@yahoogroups.com, “wezelegingrich”