Details
Chelus fimbriata
The matamata turtle is a South American freshwater turtle that resembles dead leaves and bark. It waits on the bottom and sucks in passing fish.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It inhabits Neotropical freshwater. Slow rivers, swamps, ponds, wetlands, and muddy shallow water with leaf litter are typical.
Shell length 38-45 cm; weight 9-15 kg. A flat triangular head, narrow snorkel-like snout, rough shell, and fringed skin create strong camouflage.
Nocturnal and solitary, it often lies almost motionless on the bottom. It may breathe with only the snout tip reaching the surface.
A carnivore, it feeds mainly on small fish. A sudden mouth opening creates suction that pulls prey and water inward.
Females lay eggs in soil on land. Hatchlings move to water and begin catching small aquatic prey.
It is listed as Least Concern. Its unusual appearance makes it sought after, so water quality and collection can matter locally.
