Terrapin hybrid found in Maryland?
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}–>You don’t see this too often so I figured I would share. A graduate student doing a research project found this turtle on the eastern shore. A local fisherman has seen as many as five similar to this. It has many terrapin characteristics but the shell is unlike any terrapin I have seen and it’s a male the size of a female. Some have said it is just a really old terrapin but I think otherwise. Let me know your thoughts. It almost looks like a cross between a red-bellied turtle and a terrapin to me (although I know this isn’t probably possible). I have seen terrapin / map turtle hybrids for sale in the past but they are pretty similar species. I figure that one of the old terrapin farms could have cross bred a few and released them later on. Maybe? Who knows? Pretty cool specimen to say the least. – Scott
Wow ……. !!! I don’t know what to say that’s incredible… can’t wait to learn more about this….. those long nails, that melanistic looking shell, and the markings on the sides of the face and neck…. Another marker proving how amazing reptiles can be in evolution! Michaela
You know what, Scott – I was skeptical at first but after taking a look at the pics, I would have to concur with you. The face is definitely that of a terrapin’s and the rump looks exactly what you would picture a terrapin/red-bellied hybrid’s to look like. I bet that’s exactly what it is. It doesn’t have any map characteristics that I can see… -Stephen C
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