The Smiling Turtle

This little critter has been scientifically renamed more times than a confused schizophrenic and at first sight looks to have more in common with an alligator than a turtle. Mata Mata actually means ‘kill, kill’ in Spanish, which is concerning for those of you who keep them as pets. These guys are not a vegetarian’s favorite as they are serious carnivores; they turn their pointy nose up at anything green unless it croaks.

Despite Matamata being a place in New Zealand, they can actually only be found in the drainage basins of the Amazon and Orinoco river systems of South America. Depending on which river system they are from they will have either a lighter or darker pigmentation to the shell and neck. With a long thin pointy nose extending from its snout, a long wide flat neck, and head that looks like a leaf with warts, this is certainly one ugly looking beast. However, like all things that evolve to be ugly, it is ugly for good reason.

You see, one of the amazing abilities of the Matamata is the way it camouflages its way into its surroundings. Having a faded brown and dark grey colour and appearance of bark and leaves for a shell, the head and neck having a rocky resemblance, it feels right at home in the shallow marshy and muddy edges of river beds and swamps. Not only do they inhabit similar locations, but the distinct sets of scales protruding from the body gives the frequent comparison to a small croc’ or ‘gator.

The Matamata is one of the largest turtles and lives almost exclusively in shallow waters where it can poke its nostrils above the surface like a snorkel so it can breathe and lay motionless waiting for prey to pass by.  The Matamata pounces when a toad, fish or little invertebrate tries to sneak past the ultra sensitive flaps of skin that hang from under the neck and head. The matamata can’t chew its prey because of the unique way the jaws are constructed. Instead it waits for the precise moment and lunges at the target quickly opening its gaping wide mouth to suck in its prey rather like a large fish. The matamata is the only turtle known to feed in this manner.

Despite its bizarre demeanor it really is quite a pleasant harmless creature. Should you ever encounter one then be sure to give it a big smile.

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