Species Detail
Mata Mata
Side-necked Turtles

Mata Mata

Chelus fimbriata

Habitat

Slow-moving rivers, streams, and swamps

Range

Amazon Basin, South America

Adult Size

12-18 in (30-45 cm)

Diet

Carnivorous: exclusively fish

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Conservation status:Least Concern

About this species

A bizarre-looking aquatic turtle with a leaf-like head and bark-textured shell. An ambush predator that vacuums fish into its mouth.

Enrichment & behavioral stimulation

Mata Mata is aquatic — enrichment centers on water quality, basking, and foraging variety.

  • Provide varied water depth with deep areas for swimming and shallow shelves for resting.
  • Add a sturdy dry basking platform under heat and UV.
  • Introduce gentle water movement or aeration for sensory variety.
  • Scatter food in the water to encourage swimming and searching.
  • Include underwater cover and hiding spots to reduce stress.
  • Provide a dry haul-out area for basking and resting.

Housing & Social Behavior

Solitary

Sit-and-wait predators that should be kept solitary.

Housing guidance is general and based on species-typical behavior; always verify against current husbandry references and observe individual temperament.