Taking Care of Your Pet Mata Mata Turtle
The Chelus fimbriata, commonly known as the Mata Mata turtle, is a type of South American snapping turtle that can be found in the Orinoco River and Amazon River basin. With its unusual appearance, the Mata Mata turtle looks like a pile of dried and decayed wood and leaves. It has a large triangular head, an elongated neck covered with scales, spikes and horns, three barbels protruding under its chin, and two sets of filamentous barbels jutting out of the upper jaw. The brown or black carapace (upper shell) is flat with extensive keels and serration. Hatchlings are identifiable by their brown shell and bright red-black stripes on their body. If you plan to keep a Mata Mata turtle as a pet, you should prepare an environment that resembles its natural habitat. They prefer slow-moving rivulets and shallow ponds, marshes, stagnant pools, and wetlands with plenty of natural debris and a little vegetation. They tend to avoid deep water bodies and spend most of their day dipped in shallow water. A 300-gallon water tank measuring 4'x4' is recommended for an adult male Mata Mata turtle, with a water depth not exceeding 8 to 10 inches. Although they are not very active, you should provide enough space to permit free movement. The ideal temperature for their simulated habitat should be around 80-90 degrees Fahrenheit, with a basking area temperature around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. If possible, you should allow your turtles some time in natural sunlight. If not, it is advisable to fit a UVB light above the basking area. Mata Mata turtles are violent carnivores and prefer to prey on live meat. Alive fish are their delicacy of choice. Mollies, goldfish, Minnows, guppies, and sunfish also appeal to their taste buds. Unlike many other turtles, the Mata Mata isn't a gobbler and eats only when it is hungry.
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