Academy biologist Brian provides a behind the scenes look at feeding the mata mata turtle (Chelus fimbriatus) on display in the Amazon flooded forest exhibit in Steinhart Aquarium. This predator can be found in northern South America and hides in shallow, murky water and if a fish swims by, the mata mata quickly opens its mouth, sucks in the fish and swallows it whole. [1:09]

Concepts

turtles

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Additional Tags

california academy of sciences, mata mata turtle feeding

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Classroom Considerations

• Knovation Readability Score: 5 (1 low difficulty, 5 high difficulty)