Live near the shore? We have some extra tips for you at the bottom.

Make sure to visit our web site again soon - we're updating it soon to shift to the conservation of terrapin, including more easy and practical ways that you can help!

• Thank Governor O'Malley and your Delegates and Senators for protecting Maryland's terrapins and let them know that you care about the long-term health of our terrapins!

 

• Stay informed. To receive our occasional terrapin updates email us at info@cterrapin.org

 

• If you see a turtle moving across the road, make sure you'll be safe first and then move it across in the direction it was headed to safety.

When you get home, please send us an email so we can note any high-traffic terrapin areas.

 

• Use Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) on your recreational crab pots that prevent the smaller young females and male terrapins from squeezing into your pots and drowning (it’s also the law).

Can't find them at your local store? Send us an email and we'll get you some.

 

• If you see terrapins in food markets or pet stores contact your state's wildlife violation line: DE, MD or VA because it's officially illegal to sell terrapins in the Chesapeake Bay states.

 

• If you’re out in a boat, collect abandoned “ghost” crab pots that continue fishing for wildlife for many years (and drowning terrapins) and bring them to shore for disposal.

 

• If you see a terrapin nesting, do not disturb her but keep still and watch her from a distance.

 

• Learn more about terrapins and why they are an important part of the Chesapeake Bay.

 

• Share what you know and love about terrapins with others!

This might be the most important thing you can do to save our terrapins!

 

Spend time at the shore? You can really make a big difference:

• Artificially high raccoon populations in our suburban areas are a main reason why as few as 3 - 7% of eggs & hatchlings survive through their first year.

  Bungee-cord your garbage cans and don't leave pet food outside overnight. Raccoon and other terrapin predator populations can skyrocket and then remain stable by eating those extra, and most importantly, dependable snacks.

 

• Many terrapins drown each year in our recreational crab pots. Because local terrapin populations are so sensitive, even the loss of one turtle is important.

  Using Bycatch Reduction Devices on your recreational crab pots will retain or improve your crab catch and prevent the smaller young female and male terrapins from squeezing into your pots and drowning (it’s also the law).

  Part of a terrapin's charm is that they are very curious and inquisitive. Unfortunately that means they often follow one another into a crab pot where they both drown, so by preventing one from going in by using a BRD, you may also have prevented many more terrapins from dying.

 

• Investigate alternatives to rip-rap for erosion control, like the Living Shorelines program for example, that maintain a terrapin's access to nesting beaches. These types of erosion control also last much longer (and are far more attractive to look at!)

 

• Have you spotted a terrapin finishing her nest? Most are cleaned out by a predator within the first 24 - 48 hours. Ask your Department of Natural Resources about Nest Predator Exclusion Devices.

 

If you have any questions or other ideas, we want to hear from you so please let us know. Thanks!