Pongo the Diamondback Terrapin
Hatched: Winter 2019 (approximate)
Arrived at WSWC: September 4, 2022
Sex: Female
Pongo is a young female Diamondback Terrapin. Pongo, along with several other animals, was confiscated from an illegal situation by state agencies. When the agency reached out to see if we had room to home one of these beautiful turtles, we couldn't say no! Pongo is a few years old and will live out her days in sanctuary with us at the wildlife center. She is currently living with Red and Marston, two of our other non-releasable turtles. Diamondback Terrapins are found in brackish waters all along the Eastern U.S. coast. Their gorgeous coloration and big personalities make them targets for poachers who kidnap them from the wild and sell in the pet trade. Poaching doesn’t just happen in foreign lands to large game animals!
Pongo passed away in August 2023 from complications related to a drowning accident when she was younger.
About Diamondback Terrapins
Size: Typically range from 4 - 9 inches long with females being significantly larger than males
Lifespan: Shorter than many other turtle species with an average lifespan of 25 years in the wild. Can live up to 40 years in captivity.
Diet: Diamondback Terrapins feed primarily on mollusks, such as clams, snails and mussels but will also eat other insects and crustacean
Reproduction: Adolescents reach sexual maturity between two and five years old. Mating occurs underwater in May before females lay their clutches of 10 - 15 eggs. The temperature of the eggs during incubation determines the sex of the hatchlings, with lower temperatures producing more males. Come winter, unhatched eggs may stay buried in the nest and emerge the following spring.
Range: Diamondback Terrapins can be found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. There are several subspecies that occupy different regions. Diamondback Terrapins are the only turtle species that prefers brackish waters (where fresh and salt water mix) and are rarely found far from the shore.
Other Facts: The scutes (scales on the shell) of Diamondback Terrapins are unique to each turtle, just like human fingerprints. Hatchlings and young turtles tend to be more colorful than adults. Diamondback Terrapins are highly sought after in the pet trade, making poaching from the wild a serious threat to vulnerable populations.