The mata mata, mata-mata, or matamata (Chelus fimbriata) is a freshwater turtle found in South America. (17 Pics)

The mata mata, mata-mata, or matamata (Chelus fimbriata) is a freshwater turtle found in South America, primarily in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. It is the only extant species in the genus Chelus.The mata mata is a large, sedentary turtle with a large, triangular, flattened head characterized with many tubercles and flaps of skin, and a "horn" on its long and tubular snout.[8] Three barbels occur on the chin and four additional filamentous barbels at the upper jaw, which is neither hooked nor notched.The mata mata's brown or black, oblong carapace can measure up to 45 cm (18 in) at adult age. The full adult weight is 15 kg (33 lb). The mata mata's plastron is reduced, narrowed, hingeless, shortened towards the front, and deeply notched at the rear with narrow bridges. These may be 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 mata mata inhabits slow moving, blackwater streams, stagnant pools, marshes, and swamps ranging into northern Bolivia, eastern Peru, Ecuador, eastern Colombia, Venezuela, the Guianas, and northern and central Brazil. The mata mata is strictly an aquatic species but it prefers standing in shallow water where its snout can reach the surface to breathe.The mata mata is carnivorous, feeding exclusively upon aquatic invertebrates and fish.

from:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mata_mata

Pinta Island tortoise An Incredible Rare Creature

 

The Pinta Island tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra abingdonii), also known as the Pinta giant tortoise, Abingdon Island tortoise, or Abingdon Island giant tortoise, was a subspecies of Galápagos tortoise native to Ecuador's Pinta Island.

The subspecies was described by Albert Günther in 1877 after specimens arrived in London. By the end of the 19th century, most of the Pinta Island tortoises had been wiped out due to hunting. By the mid-20th century, it was assumed that the subspecies was extinct[citation needed] until a single male was discovered on the island in 1971.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinta_Island_tortoise

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Superb Marine Reptile Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) (10 Pics)

The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta), or loggerhead, is an oceanic turtle distributed throughout the world. It is a marine reptile, belonging to the family Cheloniidae. The average loggerhead measures around 90 cm (35 in) long when fully grown, although larger specimens of up to 280 cm (110 in) have been discovered. The adult loggerhead sea turtle weighs approximately 135 kg (300 lb), with the largest specimens weighing in at more than 450 kg (1,000 lb).The loggerhead reaches sexual maturity within 17–33 years and has a lifespan of 47–67 years.

from:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loggerhead_sea_turtle

Label : reptile seas and revers