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Brevard Zoo Asks Cocoa Beach Residents For Help

By  //  June 27, 2013

Report Diamondback Terrapins turtle sightings

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BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Diamondback terrapins are brackish water turtles that live their entire lives within estuaries like the Indian River Lagoon.

From April into July, female terrapins leave the lagoon to lay eggs in sandy areas. Eggs hatch about 60 days later and the juveniles return to the lagoon. Although populations of terrapins are believed to have declined lagoon-wide, the 1000 islands areas of Cocoa Beach still produces regular sightings.

Female terrapins are known to nest in lagoon front homeowners backyards, and both adults and hatchlings sometimes end up in backyard pools.
Female terrapins are known to nest in lagoon front homeowners backyards, and both adults and hatchlings sometimes end up in backyard pools.

Female terrapins are known to nest in lagoon front homeowners backyards, and both adults and hatchlings sometimes end up in backyard pools. FDEP Indian River Lagoon Aquatic Preserves, The Brevard Zoo, and other conservation partners are requesting any sightings of this species to help better understand remaining populations.

You can email sightings in the IRL to terrapin@brevardzoo.org or statewide to terrapin@myfwc.com. Please include the date sighted, how many, and location (address or GPS coordinates if possible).