Mata Mata Turtle: A Unique Appearance Explained

The mata mata turtle is a fascinating creature with a unique appearance. Native to South America, this freshwater turtle is known for its odd looks and interesting features. From its large, flat head to its long neck and distinctive shell, the mata mata turtle is a true standout in the animal kingdom. But what exactly does this turtle look like? Read on to find out more about the physical characteristics of this intriguing reptile.

Shell and skin colour

The shell of the mata mata turtle, also known as the carapace, is typically brown or black, with some individuals displaying a darker mahogany hue. The shell is oblong in shape and can measure up to 18 inches (45 cm) in length. It is characterised by its rough and bumpy texture, with each lamina (horny plate) bearing cone-shaped structures and well-marked growth rings. The shell's appearance has been likened to a piece of bark, providing effective camouflage in the turtle's natural habitat.

The underside of the mata mata turtle, known as the plastron, exhibits a cream to yellow or brown colouration. It is designed to be reduced, narrowed, hingeless, shortened towards the front, and deeply notched at the rear, with narrow bridges. These adaptations may further contribute to the turtle's camouflage, as they help to create the illusion of a piece of bark.

The skin of the mata mata turtle is predominantly greyish-brown in adults, with some individuals displaying a darker hue. The head, neck, tail, and limbs are all covered in skin, which is characterised by its flat and triangular shape, numerous tubercles, and small skin flaps along the sides of the neck. The skin flaps are highly sensitive to water movements, aiding in prey detection. The throat area of the mata mata turtle can vary in colour, ranging from red to pink or dull buff.

Young mata mata turtles, also known as hatchlings, exhibit a different colour pattern from the adults. They possess a pink to reddish tinge along the underside edge of their carapaces and plastrons, which gradually disappears as they mature. The carapaces and plastrons of young turtles are typically brown, providing a distinct contrast to the colouration of their older counterparts.

Head shape

The mata mata turtle has a distinctive head shape that sets it apart from other turtle species. Its head is large, triangular and flattened, with a unique array of features that contribute to its overall unusual appearance.

One of the most prominent characteristics of the mata mata's head is the presence of numerous tubercles, protuberances, warts, and ridges, which create a textured and uneven surface. These growths are not just for show, but serve an important purpose in the turtle's survival strategy. The complex arrangement of tubercles and flaps of skin on the head helps to break up the outline of the turtle, making it more challenging for prey to detect. This natural form of camouflage is further enhanced by the growth of algae on the shell, adding to the turtle's ability to remain inconspicuous in its aquatic environment.

The mata mata turtle's head also boasts a long, tubular snout, which ends in a "spike" or "horn". This elongated snout is not just for show but serves a functional purpose as well. It enables the turtle to breathe while almost completely submerged in water, acting as a snorkel of sorts. This adaptation allows the mata mata to lurk quietly for extended periods while waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by.

Another notable feature of the mata mata's head is the presence of barbels. Three barbels adorn the chin, while an additional four filamentous barbels are found at the upper jaw. These barbels are not just decorative but are believed to play a role in sensory perception, aiding the turtle in detecting movement and capturing prey.

The mata mata's mouth is extremely wide, and when combined with its long snout, creates a powerful suction mechanism. By opening its mouth suddenly and widely, the turtle generates a low-pressure vacuum that instantly sucks in nearby prey, along with a rush of water. This unique feeding technique, known as suction feeding, is a specialised adaptation that makes the mata mata a highly effective ambush predator.

Neck and skin flaps

The neck of the mata mata turtle is long, with the adult's neck flesh being greyish-brown. The neck is longer than the vertebra under its carapace and is fringed with small skin flaps along both sides. These skin flaps are highly sensitive to water movements caused by fish swimming by, which the mata mata preys upon. The skin flaps also help the mata mata detect nearby movement. The neck is also sensitive to pressure waves, thus detecting the movement of fish that are close by.

The skin flaps on the neck of the mata mata turtle serve multiple purposes. Firstly, they provide excellent camouflage, enabling the turtle to blend into its surroundings. The skin flaps, along with the turtle's flattened head and triangular shape, help to break up its outline, making it resemble fallen leaves or a pile of rotting vegetation. This allows the mata mata to lie in wait for its prey, remaining motionless in the water until a fish swims close.

The skin flaps also have a sensory function. They contain highly sensitive sensory nerves that can detect motion, making the mata mata an effective ambush predator. This sensitivity to water movements caused by nearby fish allows the mata mata to open its mouth at the right moment to create a vacuum effect, sucking in its prey.

The neck and skin flaps of the mata mata turtle are, therefore, crucial for its hunting strategy and survival. The mata mata's ability to remain camouflaged and sense nearby prey movements ensures its success as an ambush predator in the slow-moving and muddy waters of its habitat.

Eyes

The mata mata turtle has small eyes, which are located at the sides of its large, flattened, triangular head. The eyes are positioned just before the turtle's wide mouth and long, snorkel-like snout.

Mata mata turtles have very fine eyesight, with eyes that reflect light, similar to other nocturnal reptiles. They possess a special lining in the backs of their eyes called the tapetum lucidum, which gives them better night vision. This feature is not found in humans, but is present in owls, rodents, bats and crocodiles.

Mata mata turtles have poor eyesight overall, but they possess a range of other sensory aids that allow them to detect movements in the murky substrates they inhabit. Their small eyes are also accompanied by a thin membrane on both sides of their head, called the tympanum, which can sense auditory stimuli.

Legs and tails

The mata mata turtle has five webbed claws on each forefoot. The males have concave plastrons and longer, thicker tails than the females. The tail and fleshy parts of the adult turtles, such as the head, neck, and limbs, are greyish-brown. The tail is thick, and the eyes are small and close to the snout.

The mata mata turtle's shell, or carapace, is rough and bumpy, with keels running down it. It is typically dark brown to mahogany, with some orange colouring. The shell has a unique appearance due to its cone-shaped lamina (horny plates) with well-marked growth rings. The plastron (the bottom part of the shell) is yellow and brown. The plastron is also reduced, narrowed, hingeless, shortened towards the front, and deeply notched at the rear with narrow bridges. These features may help the turtle resemble a piece of bark, providing camouflage from predators.

The neck of the mata mata turtle is long, with many protuberances and small skin flaps along both sides. The skin flaps are highly sensitive to water movements, which helps the mata mata detect nearby prey. The neck is longer than the vertebra under its carapace. The head is large, flat, and triangular, with a long snout and a very wide mouth. The head is covered with numerous protuberances, warts, and ridges, and a "spike" or "horn". The mata mata's unique appearance has led to its name in Spanish, which translates to "I kill, I kill".

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