Welcome to Rhode Island, Diamondback Terrapin!
(Source: Providence Journal )
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. — The rare diamondback terrapin has been detected in Westerly’s Winnapaug Pond, the University of Rhode Island reported on Monday.
Found in salt marsh estuaries from Cape Cod to the Florida Keys and the Gulf of Mexico, diamondback terrapins are the only turtle species in the country that lives in brackish water, URI said. Named for the diamond pattern on its shell, the turtle grows to about eight inches in length with a body color that varies from gray and brown to yellow. In Rhode Island, it is considered endangered and is protected.
Beatty said she detected the new population using binoculars and a kayak.