Wildlife Spotting

definitely a diamond back terrapin you can tell by its skin coloration and pattern.

d'Artagnan to attaaaaaaack !!!!!

AHHH! I want a turtle! Cute!

They are all over the back bays in NJ. I have seen them on the beach but not often. I had a seagull almost drop one on my head a few years ago. They are usually a dark green. Odd thing is they are normally around in spring and summer. Found one on the beach one March. It was missing an eye. Probably the coldest weather I have seen a hatchling. If you want to find more on Diamond backs check out wetlandsinstitute.org

That was my only other guess for NJ, especially based on the fact that it was found on a beach. If that's the case, it's the blandest, brownest diamondback terrapin hatchling I've ever seen. :-)

Diamondback terrapin hatchling.

Wood turtle hatchling is the best I can come up with. (Glyptemys insculpta)