Photo: (c) Rafael Bernhard, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Rafael Bernhard (CC-BY)

Turtle Species

Matamata

Chelus fimbriata

Scientific nameChelus fimbriata
Japanese nameマタマタ
FamilySnake-necked turtles (Chelidae)
Max carapace length45 cm
Longest recorded lifespan36 years
DietCarnivorous
LifestyleAquatic
Conservation status (IUCN)LC — Least Concern
iNaturalist observations326

About this species

The mata mata, mata-mata, or matamata is a South American species of freshwater turtle found in the Amazon basin and river system of the eastern Guianas. It was formerly believed to also occur in the Orinoco basin, western Guianas and upper Rio Negro–Branco system, but in 2020 these populations were found to belong to a separate species, Chelus orinocensis. Subsequently, some authorities have modified the common name of Chelus fimbriata to Amazon mata mata. These two are the only extant species in the genus Chelus.

Source: Wikipedia「Mata mata」 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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