Not seeing a Scroll to Top Button? Go to our FAQ page for more info.
Home > Turtles > Mata Mata

Mata Mata

Mata mata or matamata is a large, freshwater turtle occurring in South America. It is the only surviving species in the genus Chelus.



    Kingdom Animalia
    Phylum Chordata
    Class Reptilia
    Order Testudines
    Suborder Pleurodira
    Family Chelidae
    Subfamily Chelinae
    Genus Chelus
    Scientific Name Chelus fimbriata


    Size Up to 45 cm (18 in)
    Weight Around 15 kg (33 lb)
    Color Brown or black outer surface with grayish brown head, neck, limbs and tail
    Distribution The Orinoco and Amazon Basins, northern Bolivia, Ecuador, eastern Colombia, eastern Peru, Venezuela, the Guianas, northern and central Brazil
    Habitat Slow moving backwater streams, stagnant pools, swamps and marshes
    Diet Aquatic invertebrates and fish
    Breeding Season October through December
    Mode of Reproduction Oviparous (egg laying)
    Clutch Size 12 to 28 eggs
    Incubation Period Around 7 months
    Average Lifespan Up to 15 years in captivity
    IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern

    Mata Mata Pictures Gallery

    Published on April 21st 2017 by under Turtles. Article was last reviewed on 14th June 2019.

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *