The Terrapin Tally Story

The Terrapin Tally project was created by the NC Coastal Reserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve and the NC Wildlife Resources Commission working in partnership to address questions about the overall population status and condition of the Diamondback Terrapin within the state. The diamondback terrapin is listed as a species of special concern within the state and Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the NC Wildlife Action Plan, due in part to a lack of data regarding the distribution and abundance of these small, marsh-dwelling turtles. To begin to address these information and data gaps, the NCNERR and NCWRC staff conducted a pilot of the Terrapin Tally in 2014 at the Masonboro Island Reserve. 

The Terrapin Tally is structured as a community science activity that takes a snapshot of the diamondback terrapin population numbers in a given area by conducting kayak surveys at specified times and prescribed routes. Repeating these surveys across time will eventually allow for population statistics and trends to be identified. 

We are back for our 11th year and looking forward to another year of terrapin sighting data collection. We appreciate your willingness to contribute to a larger purpose in protecting our favorite little estuarine turtle!