Diamondback Terrapins on Kiawah Island, SC

Along with members of the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, members of the Herpetology Lab spent several days of October 2010 helping with an ongoing study of Diamondback Terrapins (Malaclemys terrapin) on Kiawah Island, SC. Diamondback terrapins are listed as a species of special concern by the state of North Carolina and categorized as a threatened species by the World Conservation Union. This study of terrapins in the Kiawah River involves capturing and marking individuals, before releasing them, providing information on the decline of terrapins around Kiawah Island. Threats faced by this species include crab pot mortality, road mortality, motorized watercraft, and habitat alteration. Click here to learn more about Diamondback Terrapin research on Kiawah Island.

Seining the creek

Those aren't terrapins...

Dr. Dorcas examines a terrapin

Got one!

Taking a breather

Some of the other wildlife

Getting up-close and personal with a bonnethead

Getting ready to break out the net

Going for a ride

Kicking back after a long day

Click here to read about the turtles found in North Carolina