North American mata mata (SciiFii)

The North American mata mata, North American mata-mata, or North American matamata (Chelus fimbriata) is a species of freshwater turtle, most closely related to the South American mata mata (Chelus fimbriata), that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the wetlands, lakes, rivers, and ponds across North America to help boost biodiversity. The North American mata mata is a large, sedentary turtle with a large, triangular, flattened head with many tubercles and flaps of skin, and a "horn" on its long and tubular snout. Three barbels occur on the chin and four additional filamentous barbels at the upper jaw, which is neither hooked nor notched. The North American mata mata's brown or black, oblong carapace can measure up to 95 centimeters (37 inches) at adult age. The full adult weight is 21 kg (46 lb). The North American mata mata's plastron is reduced, narrowed, hingeless, shortened towards the front, and deeply notched at the rear with narrow bridges. These are meant to allow the turtle to resemble a piece of bark, camouflaging it from possible predators. The plastron and bridges are cream to yellow or brown. The head, neck, tail, and limbs are grayish brown on adults. The neck is longer than the vertebra under its carapace and is fringed with small skin flaps along both sides. Hatchlings show a pink to reddish tinge in the underside edge of their carapaces and plastrons that gradually disappear as they grow. Each forefoot has five webbed claws. Males have concave plastrons and longer, thicker tails than females. The appearance of the North American mata mata's shell resembles a piece of bark, and its head resembles fallen leaves. As it remains motionless in the water, its skin flaps enable it to blend into the surrounding vegetation until a fish comes close. The North American mata mata thrusts out its head and opens its large mouth as wide as possible, creating a low-pressure vacuum that sucks the prey into its mouth, known as suction feeding. The North American mata mata snaps its mouth shut, the water is slowly expelled, and the fish is swallowed whole; the North American mata mata cannot chew due to the way its mouth is constructed. Males display for females by extending their limbs, lunging their heads toward the females with mouths agape, and moving the lateral flaps on their heads. Nesting occurs from March through May. The 28 to 52 brittle, spherical, 35 mm-diameter eggs are deposited in a clutch. The conservation status of the North American mata mata is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the North American mata mata's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii