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Breeding / Frogs, newts and turtles
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Frogs, newts and turtles · Easy

Breeding the diamondback terrapin

Mates in spring (March-May); females come ashore to nest in sand dunes or scrub near the water in May-July, laying up to 3 clutches a year in the wild (up to 5 in captivity). Sex is set by incubation temperature.

Full species page

Step by step

Pairing

Pair.

Breeding tank

Large brackish tank.

What starts it

Warm season.

Eggs and young

Average clutch about 6 (southern Florida) to 11 eggs (New York); eggs hatch in 60-85 days, depending on temperature and nest depth.

Raising the fry

Hatchlings are fully independent: house them in shallow warm water with a basking spot and feed small pellets, worms and daphnia daily.

Common mistakes
  • Undersized tank and weak filtration
  • No UV or basking heat (soft shells, poor growth)
  • Releasing unwanted turtles into the wild

Male or female

Females are much larger (about 23 cm) than males (13-15 cm); males are often darker.

Can I breed it in my tank?

  • Good for a first breeding project.

Day-by-day plan

Typical for frogs, newts and turtles

  1. Day 0Eggs

    Needs a special setup. Read the species guide first.

A general guide for this breeding type. Days change with temperature and species.

Simulator: guided

Stage 1 of 1Eggs

Needs a special setup. Read the species guide first.

Simulator: try it yourself

Set up a virtual breeding tank and see what would likely happen.

No spawning
  • Without live or frozen food the parents aren't in breeding condition.

An educational estimate from the breeding rules, not a promise.