rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryterrapinFreshwater or brackish-water turtle
noun

terrapin

TAIR-uh-pin/ˈterəpɪn/

A small turtle that lives in fresh or brackish water.

The small terrapin wades through shallow marsh water on webbed feet.

A small diamondback terrapin wades through shallow coastal-marsh water beside a few saltmarsh grass stems, with its patterned shell, spotted head and webbed feet clearly visible.
Etymology

The name comes from an Algonquian source, with words meaning “turtle” offered as possible relatives or sources. It originally named North American freshwater or tidewater turtles and was later extended to similar species elsewhere.

In context

The Turtle Girl3:23
where you are getting your animal so if you get a captive bred Diamondback Terrapin they usually will acclimate to fresh water a lot easier
DIAMONDBACK TERRAPIN CARE - The Brackish Water Turtle | Collab with Jenny Gaines

More examples

  • Diamondback terrapins live in the brackish water of coastal marshes.
  • The terrapin pulls its head into its shell.
  • We watch a terrapin swim through the shallow water.

Forms

terrapin · terrapins

Similar words

turtle
A broader term that also includes large ocean species.