The Mata mata is a freshwater turtle that prefers slow moving water and muddy bottoms. They can be found in rivers, blackwater streams, swamps, and marshes. They spend most of their time under the water and rarely go onto land or even bask in the sun. They are very camouflaged and resemble debris. Mata mata is mostly carnivorous, eating mainly fish and invertebrates.
Locality: Bolivia, eastern Peru, Ecuador, eastern Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern and central Brazil
Genus: Chelus
Species: fimbriata
Status: NA
IUCN Status: Least Concern (LC)
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