Mata Mata Baby — the mata mata, the most alien turtle on Earth: a leaf-litter face, fringed skin flaps, a snorkel nose, and a vacuum-strike feeding method that inhales fish faster than the eye follows. A sedentary ambush specialist for the dedicated aquatic keeper who wants living natural history.
At a Glance
| Species | Chelus fimbriata (mata mata) |
|---|---|
| Adult size | 35–45 cm |
| Lifespan | 30–50+ years |
| Housing | Large shallow aquarium; still, tannin-stained warm water |
| Water | 26–30 °C, soft and acidic (blackwater), gentle filtration |
| Diet | Live/fresh fish and aquatic prey — a true piscivore |
Care Basics
Recreate a flooded Amazon margin: shallow warm blackwater (they stand and snorkel rather than swim), leaf litter, driftwood, dim light and minimal current. Feeding is the spectacle — the vacuum strike never gets old. Handle essentially never; this is a biotope centrepiece, not a pet in the petting sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why shallow water?
Mata matas are walkers that breathe by periscoping the snorkel nose — water just deeper than shell height is their comfort zone.
Will it take dead food?
Many convert to fresh-dead fish presented with movement; live feeding remains their natural behaviour and enrichment.
Why Buy From EU Exotic Reptile Hub
- Captive-bred in Europe — no wild-caught animals, ever
- Live-arrival guarantee and health guarantee on every animal
- Verified feeding — we ship only established feeders, with a feeding record
- Lifetime care support from our keepers, one message away
Shipping Across the EU
We ship EU-wide with specialist live-animal couriers in insulated, heat- or cool-packed boxes, dispatched only when the weather forecast along the whole route is safe. You receive tracking on dispatch day and your animal typically arrives within 24 hours. See our shipping policy and FAQ for full details.
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