What is a Terrapin
What is a Terrapin?
The name "terrapin" is derived from the Algonquian word torope. It applies to Malaclemys terrapin in both British English and American English. The name originally was used by early European settlers in North America to describe these brackish-water turtles that inhabited neither freshwater habitats nor the sea.
It retains this primary meaning in American English. In British English, however, other semi-aquatic turtle species, such as the red-eared slider and other Australian species are sometimes referred to as terrapins.
Terrapins have never been in Australia (legally anyway) but many years ago baby turtles were referred to in shops as "Terrapins". These so called Terrapins were actually just baby species of Australian turtles that are know commonly seen in stores such as the Murray Shortneck Turtle, Longneck Turtles and Mary River Turtles.
What is a Terrapin?
The name "terrapin" is derived from the Algonquian word torope. It applies to Malaclemys terrapin in both British English and American English. The name originally was used by early European settlers in North America to describe these brackish-water turtles that inhabited neither freshwater habitats nor the sea.
It retains this primary meaning in American English. In British English, however, other semi-aquatic turtle species, such as the red-eared slider and other Australian species are sometimes referred to as terrapins.
Terrapins have never been in Australia (legally anyway) but many years ago baby turtles were referred to in shops as "Terrapins". These so called Terrapins were actually just baby species of Australian turtles that are know commonly seen in stores such as the Murray Shortneck Turtle, Longneck Turtles and Mary River Turtles.
