Category:Terrapin

Ter"ra*pin, n. Etym: [probably of american indian origin.] (zoöl.)

Defn: any one of numerous species of tortoises living in fresh and Brackish waters. Many of them are valued for food. [written also Terapin, terrapen, terrapene, and turapen.]

Note: the yellow-bellied terrapin (pseudemys acebra) of the southern United states, the red-bellied terrapin (pseudemys rugosa), native of The tributaries chesapeake bay (called also potter, slider, and Redfender), and the diamond-back or salt-marsh terrapin (malaclemmys Palustris), are the most important american species. The diamond-back Terrapin is native of nearly the whole of the atlantic coast of the United states. Alligator terrapin, the snapping turtle. -- mud terrapin, any one of numerous species of american tortoises Of the genus cinosternon. -- painted terrapin, the painted turtle. See under painted. -- speckled terrapin, a small fresh-water american terrapin (chelopus guttatus) having the carapace black with round yellow Spots; -- called also spotted turtle.