SNAKE-NECKED 
TURTLES 
MATAMATA 
Like a log covered with rough bark, the dark brown matamata lies sub¬ 
merged in the muddy waters of the Amazon, waiting for its prey. Fishes, 
frogs and tadpoles are attracted by the movements of the feeler-like threads 
that protrude from the skin on its neck. When they come close, they are 
not seized in the reptile’s jaws, which are weak and covered with a soft, 
fleshlike skin, but are engulfed by suction. The matamata’s shell, covered 
with thick, bony shields, may be as much as three feet long, while its 
head and neck may more than duplicate that length. For protection the 
head may be folded back under the shell. The tail is short. 
The young have black and yellow spots on their shields and are not 
as ungainly-looking as their parents. 
Related to the matamata are the South American snake-necked turtles. 
Largest of these is perhaps the Amazon river turtle, attaining a length of 
more than three feet and esteemed for its eggs as well as for its flesh. 
Thousands of them are taken every year to supply Brazilians with terrapin 
stew, pickled eggs and a curious sort of “butter,” made from mashed eggs. 
AUSTRALIAN SNAKE-NECKED 
TURTLE 
The ten-inch Australian snake-necked turtle is equally at home on land 
and water. With its long neck either stretched out straight or bent in an 
S-shape, it swims about by night in search of worms, frogs and caterpillars, 
which it catches by a swift, sidewise jerk of the head. It feeds exclusively in 
the water, but likes to rest and crawl about on land. Its shell is a rich dark 
brown, its breast-plate and eyes are yellow. 
These creatures thrive in captivity, provided they may choose freely 
200 
