One of the strangest-looking turtles in the world, the matamata has special uses for its odd array of body parts. The creature's spiked shell becomes caked with grime that helps disguise the turtle in its underwater home. Unwary prey can wander close to its wide mouth that operates like a vacuum pump. The matamata doesn't move a lot, but it will head to the surface to catch an occasional breath of air through its snorkel-like nose.
Rocky: This turtle is a master of disguise. It sits motionless at the bottom of lakes and rivers for so long that algae grow on its knobby shell. This makes the matamata look like nothing more than a rock-and entices small fish to move in to eat the algae.
Snorkel Snout: The matamata can hold its breath for hours at a time. When it does have to surface for air, it sticks only its long, tube-shaped nose above the surface so potential enemies won't be able to see it.
Suck it Up[]
The turtle's nose works like a snorkel when it's underwater.
The matamata's long neck gives it an edge when grabbing prey.
The matamata doesn't swim well, so instead of chasing prey through the water, it mostly hides out on the bottom all day, waiting for fish to swim near it. When a potential meal comes within about a foot of its head, the turtle shoots out its long, air-filled neck and opens its mouth as wide as it can. This creates a vacuum effect as water rushes into the matamata's mouth to fill the space where the air used to be, and sucks the small fish in with the water. The turtle can't chew, so it can swallow only fish that can fit down its throat.
Feel the Force: Experts still debate about the fleshy, leaf-shaped flaps on the matamata's neck. They know the flaps are sensitive to touch, and can even detect changes in water pressure around it. Many think this tells the turtle when prey is nearby.
Sideways: The matamata can't retract its head into its shell the way most turtles can. Instead, this creature shrinks its long neck and curls it around its side, where it's protected by the overhang of its shell.
Fear the Turtle[]
- Sitting around all day waiting for prey doesn't always work. A matamata has been hunting in the same spot for hours, but is getting too hungry to wait.
- It walks along the riverbed and notices a few small fish. The turtle enters a very slow-speed chase, "herding" the fish toward the riverbank.
- Not realizing the matamata's range, the fish allow it to get too close. The turtle extends its neck and opens its wide mouth, sucking three fish down its gullet.