How Much Does A Diamondback Terrapin Cost?

I hope you have done all your research on diamondback terrapin by now! If not, go through this species’ care sheet first and then come back here. In the following article, I will answer how much a diamondback terrapin costs and where to get one.

The market price of diamondback terrapin ranges between $170 – $999. However, the cost of a diamondback terrapin depends on subspecies, gender, size, physical condition, etc., and the pricing of this species is unstable and can go up or down at any moment.

Which things to look for while buying a diamondback terrapin? Where to buy a terrapin? Is a diamondback terrapin worth buying? Give this article a quick read to get your answers.

How Much Does A Diamondback Terrapin Cost?

Honestly, the market for diamondback terrapins is always volatile. Though this species is not endangered, they are on the concern list. Hence, these turtles are pretty pricey and hard to find.

The instability of the market also affects the cost of terrapins. Some breeders or stores overcharge the customers for these creatures. However, in most cases, you will find a healthy diamondback terrapin at $300 – $500.

Here is the price range of different diamondback terrapins:

Diamondback Terrapin Subspices	Estimated Price
Northern Diamondback Terrapin	$270 – $999
Concentric Diamondback Terrapin	$320 – $549
Mangrove Diamondback Terrapin	$170++
Texas Diamondback Terrapin	$250 – $300
Ornate Diamondback Terrapin	$450 – $750
Yarling Ornate Diamondback Terrapin	&850++

N.B. The rate of diamondback terrapins is not fixed and can go up or down at any moment. So, research the market first before making any purchase.

Where To Buy Diamondback Terrapin?

Most of the time, the keepers struggle to find a suitable shop to buy a diamondback terrapin. Of course, it is because this species is not available at the stores.

No! Diamondback terrapins are not endangered. But their number is decreasing in many states. As a result, there is a massive gap in the supply and demand chain in the market. Unfortunately, some illegal businessmen are taking advantage of this volatility.

They take the wild diamondback terrapins and sell them to the people. But yes, you do not want a wild turtle in your captive enclosure. It will kill the pet. Trust me on this.

So, what things should you look out for, and how can you get a terrapin? Go through the following points for your answer,

1. See, sometimes the organizations rescue poached or destroyed eggs bests and hatch those eggs manually. Once the hatchlings are exposed to the captive environment, they are unsafe for the wild environment. Thus, you can get a rescued hatchling from the organization and raise it as a pet.
2. You can get the terrapin from a private breeder. The breeder must have a license.
3. You can buy turtles from a local store or an online reptile shop. Never deal with the black markets as they sell wild caught animals. Megacephalic head and perfectly smoothed carapace are the signs of wild diamondback terrapins. Do not buy a wild terrapin, no matter how cheap they are. These turtles can not adapt to the captive environment and die.

Some renowned stores that sell diamondback terrapin are,

Shop Name	Available Species	Price Range	Additional Information
Tortoise Town	Diamondback Terrapin, Concentric Diamondback Terrapin	$379 – $999	Tortoise Town is one of the trusted reptile shops. The shop offers, 7-day health gurantee Freedom to select the gender of the turtle Fast delivery
Tortoise World	Northern Diamondback Terrapin, Concentric Diamondback Terrapin	$270 – $440	Tortoise World has been offering satisfactory service to its customers. This store policy allows,   Fast delivery Overnight delivery 7-day health guranteeFreedom to select the gender of the reptiles
CB Rptiles	Northern Diamondback Terrapin, Concentric Diamondback Terrapin	$379 – $599	CB Reptiles is one of the most popular stores for turtles, tortoises, and lizards. This shop has the same policies as the other, for example, a 7-day replacement guarantee and fast delivery.
Turtle Store	Northern Diamondback Terrapin, Concentric Diamondback Terrapin	$349 – $599	Turtle Store has a variety of reptiles up for sale. The shop also sells necessary supplies for pets.
CB Reptiles Zone	Northern Diamondback Terrapin, Yarling Ornate Diamondback Terrapin, Ornate Diamondback Terrapin	$250 – $850	CB Reptiles Zone has more variety in Diamondback terrapin subspecies than the other stores. In addition, the store has a well-built reputation for customer service and fast delivery.

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Are Diamondback Terrapins Good As Pets?

Diamondback terrapins are an absolute delight. They are medium-sized and have star-like patterns on the carapace, which makes them look mesmerizing.

But wait. Appearance is not enough to judge whether a turtle is suitable as a pet.

First, you have to consider the price. Diamondback terrapins are not cheap. So, consider the cost and see if it fits your budget.

Next, go through the care sheet of the species. Diamondback terrapins thrive in brackish water. It means their water must be a bit salty. However, sometimes the species can live well in normal water too.

Finally, see if their habits fit your lifestyle or not. Generally, diamondback terrapins are docile and love interacting with their owners. Also, it is a pleasure watching them play.

In short, consider each point of the care sheet of the diamondback terrapins. The species is a good fit for you if it matches your vibe.

Want to learn more? Check out my other article: Can You Keep A Diamondback Terrapin As A Pet?

Conclusion

Diamondback terrapins are not cheap. You have to spend about $100 to get a healthy terrapin. But, again, it would cost more if you have specific requirements in mind. Moreover, always select a legal way to buy a diamondback terrapin and ensure you know how to raise this species first.