Dotty

Diamondback Terrapins

Dotty the larger terrapin was donated by a local turtle enthusiast who had received her from someone who had purchased her in Chinatown. She were going to be sold for food, but the individual felt sorry for Dotty so they bought her and brought her here. Diamondback terrapins are sold regularly in Chinatown to eat and many cultures do eat turtles, which is one of the reasons for population declines. Terrapins live along the coast in brackish water where fresh water meets salt water so the salinity is higher. Thus they need this environment mimicked in their enclosure. She was kept in freshwater for a year before arriving at the Center, which led to some minor shell defects, but other than that she is one of our guests favorite turtles to watch swim around.

Residents at our West Hartford CT campus