Buzz
Denis Chan
What’s so unusual about that turtle? Nothing at all—it’s just a mata mata doing its thing.
1. Mata matas don’t hail from Matamata.
Matamata, a quaint town in New Zealand, served as the filming site for Hobbiton in The Lord of the Rings. In contrast, the mata mata turtle calls the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America its home.
2. They inhabit the leaf-covered bottoms of shallow streams.
Their heads shaped like leaves, flat shells resembling bark, and ragged skin flaps allow them to blend seamlessly into their surroundings.
3. While you can remove the mata mata from the Amazon, the Amazon’s essence remains in the mata mata.
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A mata mata’s origin can be identified by its shell shape and coloration. Amazonian mata matas feature more rectangular shells with dark markings on their heads and necks, while those from the Orinoco region have oval shells and lighter necks.
4. This peculiar turtle has been given numerous names over the years.
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Beyond "needle nose" and "leafhead," this freshwater turtle was first classified as Testudo fimbriata in 1783 and has undergone 14 name changes in the past two centuries, with the latest update in 1992. It is currently recognized as Chelus fimbriatus.
The name mata mata translates to "kill, kill" in Spanish. In South America, it’s sometimes used as a derogatory term for unattractive women. Definitely not acceptable.
5. They are truly unique.
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C. fimbriatus is the sole surviving species in its genus. Thankfully, mata matas are solitary by nature!
6. Mata matas aren’t big on basking or swimming.
Denise Chan
Mata matas are far less active than most turtles, venturing out of water only to lay eggs. Rather than swimming, they favor walking along the bottoms of slow-moving streams, marshes, and swamps. As pets, they adapt well to smaller aquariums due to their minimal movement.
7. Despite their sedentary nature, they can grow quite large.
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Mata matas can reach lengths of up to two feet, though most adults are between 16 and 20 inches. If you decide to keep one as a pet—and be prepared for the expense—you’ll likely spend decades watching your pet do little more than eat, as they can live for 40 to 75 years.
8. The mata mata’s neck is longer than its spinal column.
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Its neck is so lengthy that the turtle can "snorkel," extending it to allow its pointed snout to reach the surface for air while its body remains submerged at the stream's bottom.
Mata matas belong to the suborder Pleurodira, known as side-neck turtles. Unlike other turtles, they can’t retract their heads into their shells (not that the mata mata’s head would fit). Instead, they fold their necks sideways.
9. They consume fish like a vacuum cleaner.
Rather than actively hunting, mata matas lie in wait for their prey. (Their ability to blend into vegetation is a definite advantage.) When fish swim near, the turtle extends its neck and opens its mouth wide, creating a vacuum. After expelling the water, it swallows its prey whole, as its jaws aren’t designed for chewing. This suction-feeding technique isn’t unique to mata matas—snapping turtles also use it. Feeling hungry yet?
Sources: "The Matamata"; WhoZoo; Animal World; Science Blogs.
