If you are not a turtle aficionado, one aquatic turtle tends to look a lot like any other. However, there are some true individuals among the various species of turtles. The Matamata is certainly one of them. If you have ever seen a Matamata, you will always instantly recognize it again. Matamata means "kill kill" in Spanish, and its striking fringes and strange triangular head is unmistakable.

The Matatamata has a pretty extensive range in the Amazons throughout several South American countries and can grow to be pretty large. In the wild, it ambushes fish as prey.

Tank:

In captivity the Matamata requires an aquarium with a large surface area but not much depth. Perhaps due to their large size, awkwardness, or the nature of their normal environment, adult Matamatas rarely swim, preferring instead to walk slowly along the bottom. Therefore, the water should be shallow enough that the turtle can stretch its neck up and breathe without moving off of the bottom of the tank, yet deep enough that the animal is fully submersed at all times. The tank does not need to have excess items; Matamatas rarely bask, and so basking logs or rocks are not needed. A land section is also usually not required unless breeding is expected, in which case an area for egg deposition is a necessity.

Feeding:

Fairly simple, fish of appropriate size which the turtle can swallow whole.