[Dtwg] [External] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Completes 90-day Finding for Diamondback Terrapin

[Russell L. Burke]

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See https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2026-07/us-fish-and-wildlife-service-completes-90-day-finding-diamondback-terrapin

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Completes 90-day Finding for Diamondback Terrapin

Jul 13, 2026

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has completed the 90-day finding on a petition to list the diamondback terrapin under the Endangered Species Act. The petition presented substantial new information, and the Service will initiate a 12-month review of the species to determine if listing is warranted.
The diamondback terrapin is found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts in 16 states from Massachusetts to Florida and west to Texas. It is the only turtle species in North America that lives in brackish coastal waters, which are saltier than fresh water but less salty than sea water.
The next step is to begin a status review of this species. During the status review, the Service will fully evaluate potential threats to the species and review the best scientific and commercial information available. This review will determine whether listing the species under the Endangered Species Act is warranted, not warranted, or warranted but precluded. The Service invites anyone with scientific and commercial data or other information regarding the species and factors that may affect its status to submit that to the Service to inform this review.
If the Service determines that listing the diamondback terrapin as a threatened or endangered species is warranted, the agency will publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register and provide the public with an opportunity to comment on the proposed listing. While the status review is underway, the Service will continue working with partners to conserve this species and its habitat.
The 90-day finding published in the Federal Register<https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/14/2026-14098/endangered-and-threatened-wildlife-and-plants-90-day-findings-for-10-species> on Tuesday, July 14.
Contact: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region Public Affairs: fws_press_r5 at ios.doi.gov<mailto:fws_press_r5 at ios.doi.gov>



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