What is Mat Mata?

Mata Mata Turtle, Chelus fimbriatus are water turtles that live in the shallow waters of North South America. They use extensive camouflage and capture their prey. These turtles can grow to 17 inches (43.18 centimeters) long and weigh 30 pounds (13.6 centimeters).

Determination of this turtle includes northern South America, especially Brazil, Guiana and Venezuela. They inhabit muddy, shallow ponds, lakes and slowly moving rivers. Since Mata Matas does not plague very well, do not live in deeper waters and instead of swimming usually go to the bottom of the stream or other shallow water body. Especially well adapts to these shallow waters because they have an extension of the tubular nose that allows them to breathe while the rest of the body is just below the surface.

Usually, the turtle shell is mata black or brown with yellow or orange color, while its skin can move from or from or beast to gray-brown. Looking from above form the head of mata mata wideThe shape of a triangle with a long, slender muzzle. The turtle also has distinctive skin flaps around the neck. When they hatch, Mata's turtles can only be 3 inches (7.62 centimeters), although adults can become much larger. Their life expectancy of about 10 years.

The ability to stay masked is one of the most important features of Mat Mata. Their color causes them to look like rocks when they are under water. In addition, their unusual, lined skin can give them the look of eyelashes while they are under water.

Mat Mata Turtle eats mainly fish and various invertebrates. The camouflage helps them capture food, as well as the flaps of the skin on the neck. It is assumed that these other skin contains nerves that can feel prey, even in murky waters. Turtles await food for them, they approached them, opened their mouths, and expanded their throat and suck the prey into their mouths. Water is released from the mouth and the prey is absorbedcell.

, which often occur in the zoo, Mata Mat's turtle can exist in captivity. They require a suitable size cover that is filled with shallow water. Because these turtles rarely occur on the coast, very little space must be devoted to dry surface areas. In captivity, Mata Matas can be fed with living baits such as intestinal, but any type of fish will be enough if it is of a suitable size.