Ter"ra*pin (?), n. [Probably of American
Indian origin.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of
tortoises living in fresh and brackish waters. Many of them are valued for
food. [Written also terapin, terrapen,
terrapene, and turapen.]
&fist; The yellow-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys acebra) of the
Southern United States, the red-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys rugosa),
native of the tributaries Chesapeake Bay (called also potter,
slider, and redfender), and the diamond-back or salt-marsh
terrapin (Malaclemmys palustris), are the most important American
species. The diamond-back terrapin is native of nearly the whole of the
Atlantic coast of the United States.
Alligator terrapin, the snapping turtle. --
Mud terrapin, any one of numerous species of American
tortoises of the genus Cinosternon. -- Painted
terrapin, the painted turtle. See under Painted.
-- Speckled terrapin, a small fresh-water American
terrapin (Chelopus guttatus) having the carapace black with round
yellow spots; -- called also spotted turtle.
Ter"ra*pin (?), n. [Probably of American
Indian origin.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of
tortoises living in fresh and brackish waters. Many of them are valued for
food. [Written also terapin, terrapen,
terrapene, and turapen.]
&fist; The yellow-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys acebra) of the
Southern United States, the red-bellied terrapin (Pseudemys rugosa),
native of the tributaries Chesapeake Bay (called also potter,
slider, and redfender), and the diamond-back or salt-marsh
terrapin (Malaclemmys palustris), are the most important American
species. The diamond-back terrapin is native of nearly the whole of the
Atlantic coast of the United States.
Alligator terrapin, the snapping turtle. --
Mud terrapin, any one of numerous species of American
tortoises of the genus Cinosternon. -- Painted
terrapin, the painted turtle. See under Painted.
-- Speckled terrapin, a small fresh-water American
terrapin (Chelopus guttatus) having the carapace black with round
yellow spots; -- called also spotted turtle.
