Dimdima
Online Children's Magazine from India
Dimdima
Online Children's Magazine from India
The Matamata is a South American side neck turtle with a bizarre appearance. Side neck turtles are so-called because they can retract the head only by bending it sideways unlike other turtles.
The broad and flattened head and neck of the Matamata are covered with tufts of skin which give it its scientifc name, Chelys fimbriata or fringed turtle. The tufts help in camouflage. They also help the turtle sense the water for prey and predators. The head is shaped like a broad triangle and the snout is long and slender. Atop the snout are two tiny eyes.
The Matamata can grow upto 36 cm long and weigh 13 kilos. It lives in the Orinoco and Amazon rivers. It moves by walking on the river bed rather than swimming.
From time to time it raises its long snout to the surface to breathe, using it like a snorkel.
The matamata employs a ‘gape and suck’ method of feeding. It lies in wait for a fish, then thrusts its head forward with its mouth open wide. The prey is carried into the turtle's throat as the water rushes in, literally by hydraulic action!
Last updated on :3/7/2006
EXPLORE MORE...
COMMENT ON THIS ARTICLE
Wants to share something related to this article? Please use the form below.
Dimdima is the Sanskrit word for ‘drumbeat’. In olden days, victory in battle was heralded by the beat of drums or any important news to be conveyed to the people used to be accompanied with drumbeats.
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
K. M Munshi Marg,
Chowpatty, Mumbai - 400 007
email : editor@dimdima.com
Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan
505, Sane Guruji Marg,
Tardeo, Mumbai - 400 034
email : promo@dimdima.com
Dimdima.com, the Children's Website of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan launched in 2000 and came out with a Printed version of Dimdima Magazine in 2004. At present the Printed Version have more than 35,000 subscribers from India and Abroad.