Happy Turtle
Taken by JLplusAL via Flickr
This freshwater turtle is very odd looking with its flat head and triangular face. It looks a lot like a snapping turtle, but it actually sucks in its prey like a vacuum and swallows its prey whole. The turtle snatches its prey in an instant after waiting statue-like for its prey to get near. Here are some videos of the turtle. More info below.
Shows the turtle eating
Nice close up of turtle body texture
Shows how the turtle would hunt in the wild
Taken by JLplusAL via Flickr
Image via Wikipedia
Image taken by JLplusAL via Flickr
Scientific Name: Chelus fimbriata
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Testudines
Family: Pleurodira
Genus: Chelidae
Species: Non-Specific
Diet:
- Crabs, amphibians, fish (mainly), and aquatic invertebrates
Habitat/Geography:
- South America
- It can be found in swamps, shallow ponds, slow-moving rivers, and lakes
Key Characteristics:
- Thick elongated neck used for catching prey
- Very flat and triangular head allowing it to go near the water's surface and with its two long tubular noses suck in air while remaining submerged
- Very wide mouth which allows it to suck in a large amount of water and capture its prey
- The rough bumps on the turtles skin and sharp ridges covering its shell breaks up the turtle's image making it harder to spot in water
- On top of the turtle's head are skin flaps that resemble dead leafs. This combined with growing algae on its shell, dark brown coloration around its body, and pure stillness make the matamata almost impossible to spot until it's too late
Fun Fact:
- Males attract females by extending their limbs and lunging their head at the female while opening and closing their mouths
Sources:
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