Look at these cute little guys we spotted while on a boat tour—Diamondback Terrapins!

This medium-sized species (about the size of a dinner plate) is the only turtle in the U.S. that lives in brackish waters along tidal marshes, creeks, and estuaries. It is the only reptile exclusively adapted to life in Georgia’s coastal salt marshes.

“Terrapin” is derived from “torope”, a word in an Algonquian language. The diamondback terrapin gets its name from the angular designs on its scutes, which form the shell, and each shell is as unique as a fingerprint or a snowflake.

In 2003, Georgia added the diamondback to its “Species of Concern” and banned commercial harvesting of the turtles after overfishing nearly wiped out in the late 1800s through the early 1900s. They are still of concern, but now they face habitat loss, pollution, and marsh destruction. In addition, females often get crushed by cars when they cross causeways to lay their eggs, and the smaller males drown in crab traps.

Also, Check out Skidaway Audubon—their Diamondback Terrapin Rescue project is the largest endeavor of its kind along the East Coast!