Mata mata
The mata mata (Chelus fimbriata), also known as the matamata, is a type of freshwater turtle that lives in South America. It is one of two species in the genus Chelus, the other being Chelus orinocensis.
Description
The mata mata is a large turtle with a flat head that is shaped like a triangle. It has many tubercles. The shell looks like a piece of bark, and its head looks like a leaf.
As pets
Mata mata turtles can be kept as pets. Mata matas, however, are not active hunters and like the alligator snapping turtle, they need less space than a large, active species.
Mata Mata Media
Top view of the mata mata turtle
Mata mata turtles on exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Related pages
References
- Giant fossil matamata turtles (matamatas part V) Archived 2011-10-11 at the Wayback Machine, Tetrapod Zoology
- Matamata, Chelus fimbriatus, California Turtle & Tortoise Club
Other websites
- Mata mata on English Wikipedia
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