subject: The Matamata : Animal That Able To Remain Motionless For Many Hours [print this page] The Matamata (Chelus fimbriatus) is a species of freshwater turtle in the original aspect of detonating other specimens of his order, which has aroused the curiosity of many scientists. This is an animal with very advanced hunting techniques. It is distributed globally in South America, particularly in the Amazon basin and the Orinoco basin.
We owe the first description of the Matamata to Barrere in 1741 . He describes it in Latin as follows:
"Testudo terrestris Staff putamine echinato and striato"
You can translate it as "the great land tortoise shells and prickly ribbed. Here is the shell of the Matamata which first struck Barrere. But it is the entire morphology of the animal that it strikes an unwary. Indeed, it seems difficult to confuse with another Matamata turtle so it has unique features:
Its size can go up to 45 centimeters in adulthood, which is rather large for a freshwater turtle;
-Weight is around 15 kg in adulthood;
- Tail is rather long for a freshwater turtle;
- Shell is composed of three rows of plates dented by a multitude of pyramids, it is indented, which also distinguishes the other turtles, the growth lines are very marked and can determine the age of the specimen in the basin Amazon carapace [Note 1] is rectangular, whereas in the Orinoco basin, it is rather oval;
- His head is flat and triangular, covered with protuberances; snout is long and thin and ends in a small trunk where the nostrils;
- Her eyes are small, located near his nose and are reflected in the night as in many other reptiles, its visual capabilities are not very high;
- Mouth is very wide and has two barbs (filaments found on either side of it);
-Its neck is very long, he used to reach the surface to breathe when under water ;
- Legs are short, extensible, with small claws and adapted for a muddy habitat .
Females are slightly larger and have longer necks. Nevertheless, it is difficult to differentiate a male from a female because the sexual dimorphism is not very marked.
Variations are mainly observable between different regions in which allocates Matamata. These are mainly at the level of average size and pigmentation.
The organic part of the animal ranges from very dark brown and dark gray. The color of its shell color ranges from coffee and a very dark gray. As for his breastplate [Note 1], it varies from whitish (Amazon Basin) to dark red (Orinoco basin).
Young people are generally more colorful than the adults. They are also clearer. Their bridges [Note 1], their shields and the inner edge of their marginals are encircled by roses and dark bands. The outer edge of each marginal, for its part, orange. On top of their heads, lighter than adults, one can observe three dark bands. On their necks, there are also three bands of color, this time red.
These unique attributes enable the Matamata to blend into the surroundings where they live . The color and shape of its shell to make it look like a pile of dead leaves and even dead wood. However, these residues are not uncommon in the Amazon region.
Scientists have also noticed that the head of the Matamata like, because of its outgrowths among others, leaves moucou-moucou, an aquatic plant native (aroid invasive measuring 3 to 4 meters).
In addition, algae colonize his back and accentuate its ability to camouflage. Indeed, Matamata, underwater, may also be confused with a rock when it is stationary. This camouflage is an important part in the faculty of the animal to catch its prey, it is therefore a strong survival advantage that may explain the original evolution of this animal compared to other turtles. This could also explain how the Matamata has through the ages.
The Matamata is a small animal that moves, able to remain motionless for many hours . She ventures onto the banks most often only in order to spawn.Otherwise, it remains in shallow waters where it can easily breathe through his neck stretch allowing it to reach the air. It floats on the surface rarely, preferring to remain at the bottom.It is a rather docile species . She is not inclined to bite and not elsewhere is not capable (its bill is much less developed than that of other turtles).
Finally, Matamata is a very sensitive animal. Thus, it remains rather an animal twilight.
