n.
[Pg.]
(Zoöl.) The bearded tortoise (Chelys fimbriata) of South American rivers.
mata mata
| Dictionary: Ma·ta·ma·ta |
n.
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| Animal Encyclopedia: Matamata |
Chelus fimbriatus
SUBFAMILY
Chelidinae
TAXONOMY
Testudo fimbriata Schneider, 1783, Approuague River, Guisanbourg, French Guiana.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
French: Matamata; German: Fransenschildkröte.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
A medium to large turtle (up to 18 in [45 cm] in carapace length), the matamata is probably the most distinctive of all turtles. This species is recognized by its flattened yet rugged shell, and the rough skin with fringelike appendages that gives the head a triangular appearance when viewed from above. The raised conical knobs on each scute form three keels on the dark carapace to enhance the cryptic appearance of this bottom-walking species. Furthermore, the skin on the broad flat head forms small flaps that are most pronounced above the tympana and waver gently in a slow current. The tiny eyes are set forward and may be of little use in the turbid waters this species inhabits. The tubelike proboscis is used to breathe without fully surfacing.
DISTRIBUTION
Northern South America, including the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers.
HABITAT
This highly aquatic freshwater species prefers the still waters of oxbow lakes and ponds. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this species survives extended periods in brackish water, but it is not known whether it enters these habitats freely or is deposited there by flooding rivers.
BEHAVIOR
These turtles are poor swimmers and spend the majority of their time walking along the bottom. When found in rivers, matamatas avoid the current by moving beneath cut banks and submerged logs.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
This carnivorous turtle feeds mainly on small fishes. The matamata lies in wait at the murky bottom of its aquatic habitat where fish may be attracted to the fringelike skin on its head. After locating the fish via vibrational cues detected by the skin and enlarged tympana, it uses a gape-and-suck method to violently draw the prey and a large volume of water into the mouth. The water is then expelled and the fish swallowed.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Courtship and mating have not been described; however, nesting generally takes place between October and December. In Venezuela, nests are often constructed in the clay soil of steep riverbanks. Eight to 28 spherical (1.4–1.6 in [3.5–4.0 cm] diameter), brittle-shelled eggs are produced annually. The long incubation (200 or more days) suggests that embryos require a diapause or estivation before hatching occurs.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not threatened.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
The grotesque appearance of this species discourages consumption, even in regions where other turtle species are readily eaten. Matamatas are frequently available in the pet trade where the adults and juveniles may command high prices.
| Wikipedia: Mata mata |
| Mata mata | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Mata mata, Chelus fimbriatus | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Subclass: | Anapsida |
| Order: | Testudines |
| Suborder: | Pleurodira |
| Family: | Chelidae |
| Genus: | Chelus |
| Species: | C. fimbriatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Chelus fimbriatus (Schneider, 1783) |
|
The mata mata (binomial name Chelus fimbriatus) is a freshwater turtle found in South America, primarily in the Amazon and Orinoco basins.
Contents |
Taxonomy
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This section's factual accuracy is disputed. Please see the relevant discussion on the talk page. (October 2009) |
The mata mata was described for the first time by French naturalist Pierre Barrère in 1741 as a "large land turtle with spiky and ridged scales".[1] It was first classified as Chelus fimbriatus by German naturalist Johann Gottlob Schneider in 1783. It was renamed 14 different times in 2 centuries, finally being renamed Chelus fimbriatus in 1934 by Robert Mertens and Muller.[1]
Anatomy and morphology
The mata mata is a large sedentary turtle which has a large triangular flattened head characterized with many tubercles and flaps of skin and a "horn" on its long and tubular snout.[1] There are two barbels on the chin and two additional filamentous barbels at the upper jaw, which is neither hooked nor notched.[2]
The mata mata's brown or black oblong carapace can measure up to 45 cm (18 in) at adult age.[3] The full adult weight is 15 kg (33 lb).[3] The mata mata's plastron is reduced, narrowed, hingeless, shortened towards the front, and deeply notched at the rear with narrow bridges.[2] The plastron and bridges are cream to yellow or brown.[2]
The head, neck, tail, and limbs are grayish brown on adults.[2] The neck is longer than the vertebra under its carapace and is fringed with small skin flaps along both sides.[2] Hatchlings show a pink to reddish tinge in the underside edge of their carapace and plastron which gradually disappear as they grow.
Each forefoot has five webbed claws. Males have concave plastrons and longer, thicker tails than females.[2]
Habitat
The mata mata inhabits slow moving, blackwater streams, stagnant pools, marshes, and swamps ranging into northern Bolivia, eastern Peru, Ecuador, eastern Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern and central Brazil. The mata mata is strictly an aquatic species but it prefers standing in shallow water where its snout can reach the surface to breathe.[4]
Behavior
The appearance of the mata mata's shell resembles a piece of bark, and its head resembles fallen leaves.[5] As it remains motionless in the water, its skin flaps enable it to blend into the surrounding vegetation until a fish comes close[5] The mata mata thrusts out its head and opens its large mouth as wide as possible, creating a low-pressure vacuum that sucks the prey into its mouth.[5] The Matamata snaps its mouth shut, the water is slowly expelled, and the fish is swallowed whole; the mata mata cannot chew due to the way its mouth is constructed.[5]
Reproduction
Males display for females by extending their limbs, lunging the head toward the female with mouth agape, and moving the lateral flaps on the head. Nesting occurs from October through December in the Upper Amazon. The 12 to 28 brittle, spherical, 35 mm diameter eggs are deposited in a clutch.
Diet
The mata mata is carnivorous, feeding exclusively upon aquatic invertebrates and fish.[1][5]
In Captivity
Mata mata turtles are readily available in the exotic pet trade and are quite expensive to obtain. Due to their unique appearance, they make interesting display animals. They also grow quite large. However, mata matas are not active hunters, so like the alligator snapping turtle, they need less space than a large, active species.
As with all aquatic turtles, water quality is one of the keys to keeping this species successfully in captivity. Warm, acidic water is the best type used with a high tannin content that should be maintained all year round. Moderate to heavy filtration is recommended.[6]
References
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Chelus fimbriatus |
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Wikispecies has information related to: Chelus fimbriatus |
- ^ a b c d Espenshade III, William H (1990), "Matamata, Chelus fimbriatus", Tortuga Gazette 26 (5): 3–5
- ^ a b c d e f Bartlett, Dick (2007), "The Matamata", Reptiles Magazine 15 (12): 18–20
- ^ a b (French) Toutes les tortues du monde by Franck Bonin, Bernard Devaux and Alain Dupré, second edition (1998), editions Delachaux and Niestlé/WWF.
- ^ Rosenfeld, Arthur (1989), Exotic Pets, New York: Simon & Schuster, pp. 153–155, ISBN 067147654
- ^ a b c d e Cogger, Harold; Zweifel, Richard (1992), Reptiles & Amphibians, Sydney, Australia: Weldon Owen, pp. 112, ISBN 0831727861
- ^ Mata mata Care Sheet
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