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Mata Mata Turtle — printable fact sheet
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Animal Fact Sheet
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Mata Mata Turtle
Chelus fimbriata
The Mata Mata Turtle is a striking freshwater turtle native to the slow-moving rivers, streams, and swamps of the Amazon and Orinoco basins in South America. This turtle is easily recognized by its large, flattened, triangular head adorned with skin flaps and a rough, knobby car…
Did you know?
- Despite its bizarre appearance, the Mata Mata Turtle is completely harmless and rarely leaves the water except for nesting.
- The Mata Mata Turtle has a snorkel-like nose for easy breathing while submerged. Its method of catching prey involves opening its mouth rapidly to create a vacuum that sucks in fish whole. Its shell and skin flaps provide such effective camouflage that it can be almost invisible in leaf-littered water.
What I learned
Draw the mata mata turtle
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