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Testudo, the Diamondback Terrapin, became the official mascot for the University of Maryland in 1932 when Coach Harry "Curley" Byrd decided it was necessary to change our mascot from the "Old Liners." Since then, the Diamondback Terrapin has become the official reptile of Maryland due to its affiliation with the University. This is the first official Testudo costume dating from the late 1970s. Before this costume, Testudo Mascots made their own, because as the athletic department told one Mascot (Mark Tishler), there was no funding for an official costume. This particular costume is very worn, suggesting that it was used for hundreds of games. There is duct tape on the shoes to keep them together. The costume consists of two four fingered gloves, a head, a shell with spots, an M on the chest, a brown bodysuit, and two feet with boots inside. The costume was made with cotton, pleather, netting, and polyester. This same design is used for the construction of Testudo costumes today. Since 1932, the University of Maryland mascot has changed in vision from studious in appearance, to scared, to nice, and then to fierce, in that order. This is apparent in both the logos of the past, as well as the homemade Testudo costumes, compared to the Testudo of today with his large beak and angry facial expression.
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