Chalus Fimbriatus

Mata Mata Turtle

About Me

The Mata Mata turtle are large South American freshwater turtles native to the Amazon & Orinoco Basin. Their fascinating appearance is highlighted by its unique physical characteristics such as its triangular flattened head as well as its long & tubular snout.

What i do when i'm not here

They are solitary animals, their flattened & dark physical outlook provides them with excellent camouflage which is used to their advantage. Often appearing as large pieces of leaf litter which blend with the murky waters they inhabit, the Mata Mata turtle spend most of their time at the bottom of rivers as opposed to swimming. They are ambush hunters who lie in wait for unsuspecting prey which they suck in akin to a vacuum with the adaptations made to its mouth.

Weight

Up to 15kg

Size

Up to 45cm

Lifespan

40-75 years

Diet

Fish & other small aquatic animals

Habitat

They are distributed throughout South America where they live in the shallow areas of low current water locales such as rivers, swamps & marshes. They can be found in the Amazon, Orinoco, & Essequibo river systems of northern South America & have occasionally been spotted in Trinidad & Tobago.