DiamondBack Terrapin's

Diamondback Terrapin is an article found in the Reptile magazine of October 2005. This article is about Diamondback Terrapin turtles. I chose this article because Diamondback Terrapin is a weird name for a turtle. I have never heard this before and thought it would be cool to learn about this. What i like about this article was that they said that this turtle is one of the most unique North American turtles. Terrapins are not federally protected, but are still protected in many states. Which mean keeping them is illegal or allowed only with permit.Something i learned was that Diamondback Terrapins are one the most easiest physically appearance turtles to notice. They have different shell patterns, skin colors, markings and shapes among the specimens. Another trait is their large hind feet. The hind fee give them mobility in strong currents and undertows. They range from the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts from New York to Texas. My question for them would be how long do they live? They never mentioned how long they can live for. Im guessing about 40 years, but im not sure. Online the prices range from 45$ to 125$. It all depends on what part of the coast you wanna get them from. Diamondback Terrapins are a medium sized turtle that have a grayish, almost black carapace. Their skin has black gray patterns, these turtles have markings that are unique like human fingerprints. For adults a 60 gallon tank is plenty. Males grow about 6 inches long and females grow about 8 inches. Basking place is a must to have. The temperature of heat lamp should be around 80 degrees. Diamondbacks are found in blackish habitats, and providing captive terrapins with salt water is important. Also having a good filtration is essential to maintain their health. I would say this animal is an intermediate. This turtle needs salt water, and keeping up that tank can be a lot of work. But other than that this turtle is like other turtles. The most interesting thing to me about Diamondback Terrapin is the wide range of food. These turtles are predominantly carnivorous. They eat a range of salt march mollusks, crustaceans, as well as insects and fish. But also in captivity they accept turtle food.