A very late hatch, though, may cause hatchlings to overwinter and hibernate in the nest and emerge the next year. As with most turtles, temperature is believed to influence the sex of the hatchlings. Higher temperatures produce more females while lower temperatures produce more males. When hatched, the terrapins are about an inch long. Hatchlings are also a favorite food of herons.
Survivors hibernate in the winter.
The first cold temperatures signal terrapins to bury themselves in mud banks. Body functions slow down to the point where terrapins do not need to come up to breathe. Hibernation ends in the spring and mating takes place soon after. Terrapins can live to be as old as 50. During colonial times, these turtles were a plentiful source of food, and terrapin soup soon went from a dish for slaves and servants to a favorite among all colonists.