Amazon Mata Mata
Chelus fimbriata
The Amazon mata mata is an egg-laying South American freshwater side-neck turtle associated with the Amazon drainage. Its flattened triangular head, long snorkel-like nose, neck fringes and rough, ridged brown shell resemble submerged leaves. It is kept by specialist turtle collections.
Housing needs clean water with easy surface access and submerged cover, with suitable land for egg laying. The Orinoco mata mata, Chelus orinocensis, was separated as another species in 2020; locality and identification should be recorded accurately.
Colors: Wild Type
