Irreplaceable: Wildlife in a Warming World

Feature:
Irreplaceable Wildlife in A Warming World
Graphic of irreplacable species, emperor penguin.
We are connected to each other, to our environment. From faraway places to our own backyard. But climate change is now changing the Earth as we know it, and animals and plants from the Arctic to the Everglades are feeling the consequences.
Key Resources:

Diamondback Terrapin

With elaborate shell patterns, spotted skin, and mouths that curve upward in an ever-present smile, diamondback terrapins are “homebodies” that rarely move from one tidal area to another, even in the presence of hurricanes.
Photo Credit:
Joel Sartore / ILCP (Part of Irreplaceable Wildlife Photo Exhibit)
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Diamondback Terrapin

Scientific Name: 
Malaclemys terrapin
IUCN Red List: 
Near Threatened
Endangered Species Act List: 
Near Threatened

With elaborate shell patterns, spotted skin and a mouth that curves upward in an ever-present smile, the diamondback terrapin is the charismatic state reptile of Maryland and can be found in the saltwater marshes of the eastern and southern United States. These turtles were once considered a delicacy until they were hunted to near extinction in the last century. It is now listed as endangered, threatened, or a species of concern in a number of states.

Climate Change Impacts

Because diamondback terrapins are found only in brackish, coastal marshes, their habitat is extremely vulnerable to rising sea levels. The marshes can tolerate minor changes in tidal activity but would not be able to survive drastic changes in salinity. As global warming causes sea levels to rise, the terrapins’ coastal marshes could disappear, endangering the survival of this beautiful turtle species.

Irreplaceable in Your Neighborhood

The Earthjustice traveling photo exhibit, Irreplaceable: Wildlife in a Warming World, is available to bring education, scholarship and research to your community. For more information on booking the exhibit, including fees, exhibit specifications, requirements and descriptions, please contact Nadine de Coteau at 1-800-584-6460.