Matamata Turtle Chelus fimbriata/orinocensis

Matamata Turtle
Matamata Turtle
The strange-looking Matamata Turtle (also spelled Mata mata) is a wholly aquatic turtle native to slow-moving rivers and swamps of northern South America. Until 2020 it was the only species in its genus, but the Orinoco Matamata has now been split out as a separate species (leaving the nominal as the Amazon Matamata). This page may show both.
Matamata Turtle
Matamata Turtle
Matamata Turtle
It has no jaw or teeth but feeds by opening its large mouth suddenly and swallowing small fish and crustaceans that are sucked in.
Matamata Turtle
Matamata Turtle
Matamata Turtle
Preferring shallow water, in can lay buried in mud or underwater, breathing with its "snorkel" above the waterline.