Weird Animals – A List Of The World’s Strangest Species
Mata Mata
Amazonian Mata Mata Turtle
Scientific name: Chelus fimbriata
Type of animal: Reptile
Family: Chelidae
Where found: South America
Conservation status: Least Concern
The mata mata is a species of freshwater turtle found in the Amazon and Orinoco Basins in South America.
This South American reptile has a bizarre appearance. Its shell is almost 1 meter in length, and both it, and the animal’s exposed skin, are heavily ridged. The species’ long neck and large head have a flattened appearance. In addition, the turtle has a long, spike-like nose.
With its ridged shell and bumpy skin, the mata mata resembles a piece of floating bark, camouflaging the reptile from both predators and prey. It can remain motionless for long periods.
The mata mata is primarily carnivorous, feeding on invertebrates and fish, and (occasionally) on other small vertebrates.
Amazonian Mata Mata Turtle
Scientific name: Chelus fimbriata
Type of animal: Reptile
Family: Chelidae
Where found: South America
Conservation status: Least Concern
The mata mata is a species of freshwater turtle found in the Amazon and Orinoco Basins in South America.
This South American reptile has a bizarre appearance. Its shell is almost 1 meter in length, and both it, and the animal’s exposed skin, are heavily ridged. The species’ long neck and large head have a flattened appearance. In addition, the turtle has a long, spike-like nose.
With its ridged shell and bumpy skin, the mata mata resembles a piece of floating bark, camouflaging the reptile from both predators and prey. It can remain motionless for long periods.
The mata mata is primarily carnivorous, feeding on invertebrates and fish, and (occasionally) on other small vertebrates.
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18 January 2024
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