Bank: Slant or slope of a hill

Bask: To be warmed by the sun

Beak: The turtle's hard, sharp "lip," which appears just under its nose

Brackish: Somewhat salty water. Bay water is not as salty as ocean or sea water, but saltier than fresh water

Bulkhead: A rock or wood wall that people build to protect beaches and sandy areas along the water's edge from being washed away by the Bay

Clutch: number of eggs laid at the same time

Endangered: In danger of extinction; dying out

Feet: Terrapins feet are webbed, clawed flippers used for swimming

Habitat: An animal's home

Hatchlings: Baby turtles

Headstart: Raising hatchlings in aquariums in schools and in homes so that they grow bigger and stronger and are more likely to survive when they are released

Nest protector: Wire cage placed over a turtle's nest of eggs to keep out other animals

Plastron: The turtle's bottom shell

Scutes: The plates on the bottom and the top of the terrapin's shell. Marginal scutes are the rings on the edge of the shell

Shoreline: Sandy area along the water's edge

Tag: Thin metal tag placed on the terrapins before they are released. The tags, which do not hurt the terrapins, help wildlife experts identify and track the animals as those that have been headstarted

Wildlife experts: Biologists, zoologists, and scientists who research, preserve, and conserve animals in the wild