Diamond Back terrapin photographed near the Fishing Pier by Anastasia Pleasant. May 15, 2014. © Click on image for details
From Anastasia Pleasant: I saw a mom & daughter laughing and taking photos excitedly with what I thought was a horseshoe crab. Then when I got down to the water, I discovered it was a turtle!
I just found out it was a female Diamond Back Terrapin from Mike at Mike’s Pet Shop. He said they usually live in brackish water, but their population must be doing great to be at the beach. He guessed that maybe she laid eggs and was checking on them.
After I took the photo, she just let the waves carry her back out to sea. Her shell was around 10″ in diameter and she is probably full grown.
VERY EXCITING!! AP
SAMMY DAVIS, JR:
Definitely not a sea turtle! I really hope nobody tried to put this guy in the ocean!
That’s not a sea turtle, but a diamond back terrapin. They do not live or are found in the ocean. They live in saltmarshes and bays, typically in south Jersey. Someone placed that turtle there and it’s survival is in jeopardy. It is also a threatened species.
Boy, that poor sea turtle is lost. Better swim down to warmer waters