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Matamata

Reptiles

The matamata, Chelus fimbriata, is a large, sedentary freshwater turtle of the Amazon basin and eastern Guiana river systems, belonging to the family Chelidae within Pleurodira, the side-necked turtles, a group that bends its neck sideways into its shell rather than pulling it straight back. It is instantly recognizable by its large, flattened, triangular head covered in tubercles and skin flaps, a long tubular snout, and a brown or black knobbly oblong shell that can reach about 45 centimeters. An ambush predator, it lies motionless in slow-moving streams, stagnant pools and swamps and captures fish and aquatic invertebrates with a rapid suction-feeding strike.

Facts
Classification
Diet
Carnivore 1
System (Realm)
Freshwater 1
Relationship to People
Kept as Pets 1
Living or Extinct
Yes 2
Scientific Name
Chelus fimbriatus 3
Conservation Status
Least Concern 4
Comparison
CITES Appendix
Not Listed 1
Connections

Child Taxon Of

Chelidae, Taxa
Source Wikidata: Matamata

In Biome

Lake, Biomes
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Chelus fimbriatus
River, Biomes
Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Chelus fimbriatus
In the Other Atlases

Found In

Bolivia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Chelus fimbriatusGeographic Range
Quote, Geographic Range
Chelus fimbriatus ranges from the Amazon and Orinoco river systems in Venezuela and Colombia, south to the Tocatina, Araguala, and Xingu rivers of Brazil and Bolivia.
Brazil

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Chelus fimbriatusGeographic Range
Quote, Geographic Range
Chelus fimbriatus ranges from the Amazon and Orinoco river systems in Venezuela and Colombia, south to the Tocatina, Araguala, and Xingu rivers of Brazil and Bolivia.
Colombia

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Chelus fimbriatusGeographic Range
Quote, Geographic Range
Chelus fimbriatus ranges from the Amazon and Orinoco river systems in Venezuela and Colombia, south to the Tocatina, Araguala, and Xingu rivers of Brazil and Bolivia.
Ecuador

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Chelus fimbriatusGeographic Range
Quote, Geographic Range
Its range also extends west to Equador and Peru, and east into the eastern Amazon river basin.
Peru

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Chelus fimbriatusGeographic Range
Quote, Geographic Range
Its range also extends west to Equador and Peru, and east into the eastern Amazon river basin.
Venezuela

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Chelus fimbriatusGeographic Range
Quote, Geographic Range
Chelus fimbriatus ranges from the Amazon and Orinoco river systems in Venezuela and Colombia, south to the Tocatina, Araguala, and Xingu rivers of Brazil and Bolivia.
Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Animal Diversity Web: Chelus fimbriatus
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology
  • Primary Diet, Chelus fimbriatus
    Primary Diet carnivore carnivore
  • Habitat Regions, Chelus fimbriatus
    Habitat Regions tropical tropical freshwater freshwater
  • Economic Importance for Humans: Positive Impacts
    Positive Impacts pet trade pet trade food food
  • Conservation Status: CITES
    CITES No special status
  • In Biome: Lake, Habitat Regions, biome: lakes and ponds
    lakes and ponds
  • In Biome: River, Habitat Regions, biome: rivers and streams
    rivers and streams
View the Source
2. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ317386, descriptionView the Source
3. Wikidata: Matamata
Child Taxon Of: Chelidae, Wikidata parent-taxon (P171) chainView the Source
4. GBIF Secretariat: GBIF IUCN Red List category for Chelus fimbriata
GBIF Secretariatcategory
Quote, category
"category": "LEAST_CONCERN"
View the Source
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