Matamata+Turtle+-+9



GENERAL INFO:

The matamata turtle's name is Spanish for 'I kill I kill' Its scientific name is //Chelus fimbriatus (1)//

They wait at the bottom of a pond using their long noses to breath out of the water. Once its pray is near they suck in the water and the prey, expelling the water afterwards. (1)

DESCRIPTION The neck and head are large and flat with warts and ridges. They have an extreamly wide mouth and a long snout which is needed when feeding. This turtle has two flaps on its head which is thought to have nerves that respond to movement. Average length is eighteen inches. (1)



RANGE AND HABITAT:

Matamatas are normaly found in northern South America. Matamatas are aquatic and rarely leave the water. They are poor swimmers for any distance and typically walk along the bottom. The matamata breathes by extending their neck so that their nose tip just breaks the surface of the water. Matamatas live in still calm waters. (1)

FOOD AND FEEDING: The Matamatas diet include fish, and small mammals that get into the water. They suddenly extend their head up to the prey, while opening their mouth and expanding their throat. These movements create a suction action that draws the prey into their now expanded throat; the water is expelled and the prey is swollowed. (1)

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REPRODUCTION

The matamata reach sexual maturity at the age of five. Once laying their eggs, they contain between twelve and twentyeight eggs. They incubate for 208 days, and when they hatch the mother leaves them and goes on her way. (2) Eggs are normaly layed from october to december. (3)

lIFE CYCLE

little is known about thier life cycle, in captivity they live at least fifteen years. They avoid predators by playing dead and having a thick shell to protect them. (3)

ECONOMIC ROLE: (3)

Negative effect:

The matamata first came to florida little reasurch has been done to know its negative effects.

Positive effect:

The turtle is caught and sold in the market.

HISTORY:

Little is known about this species. It was brought into Florida, which has a naturaly warm and humid climate. This species has not been a threat so far and little has been done to controll it.

WORKS CITED:

[|www.tortoise.org/archives/matamata.html] (1)

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Exhibit/Profiles/default.cfm?id=78 (2)

http://www.tortoisetrust.org/articles/newfloweri.html (3)