Mata Mata Turtle

Appearance

This odd looking creature is known to have poor eyesight and rely on its auditory and tactile senses to warn them of predators and can play a big role in catching prey. The mata mata turtle have a triangular flattened head and a horn on its lengthy snout, with brown and grayish plastrons (a shell structure) that engulf its body that help the mata mata turtle camouflage from predators. These species can swiftly manoeuvre past its predators which is the reason why the mata mata turtles are rarely caught. Its interesting shell structure which resembles barks and trees are another way they stay away from predators. The adults have more of a darker shade than the younglings such as grayish heads and limbs, while the children have light pinkish skin. Males and females are determined by their tail length, females have shorter tails while males have thick long tails. Although they have five webbed feet, they are terrible swimmers and normally avoid staying in the water.

Diet

The mata mata turtles are carnivorous which feed on fish, frogs, small insects and invertebrate which are animals that lacks a backbone such as worms, snails, lobsters and crabs. They also eat small birds and small mammals that have fallen or gotten into the water. Mata mata turtles have an interesting way of hunting and catching its prey. Instead of chewing its prey, they swallow its food whole. They use skin flaps to detect and sense vibration nearby predators and prey and also can help escape from its predators.


Habitat

These unique species thrive in slow moving streams and stagnant pools meaning that they live in swallow swamps which have no current flow. They live in all type of countries in South America, such as Bolivia, Ecuador, Brazil, Columbia and Venezuela and many more. The mata mata turtles prefer tropical weathers 18 degrees or higher. In some areas of where the mat mata turtles live, there are vast amounts of rain, which they flourish in.

With not many left due to deforestation and being illegally captured to be kept as pets. These magnificent creatures should be more noticed in the turtle species. Their odd behaviour and quirky hunting and appearance should be encouraged to save. Wouldn't you think the same?