Head to head
Eastern Long-necked Turtle vs Matamata Turtle
Eastern Long-necked Turtle
VS Matamata Turtle
The eastern long-necked turtle of Australia and the matamata of South America are two side-necked turtles that hunt by shooting their heads out and sucking in prey.
| Eastern Long-necked Turtle | Matamata Turtle | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Chelodina longicollis | Chelus fimbriata |
| Relationship | A side-necked turtle that folds its neck sideways under its shell | A side-necked turtle of South America, related to the long-necked turtles of Australia |
| Appearance | A flattened, oval, dark brown to black shell, a pale cream underside, and a neck almost as long as the shell | A ridged, algae-covered shell up to about 45 cm long, with flaps of skin on the head and neck that mimic bark and rotting leaves |
| Feeding | Shoots its head forward and opens its mouth wide to suck in prey | Opens its mouth and expands its throat to create strong suction, engulfing prey in about 0.02 seconds |
| Diet | Tadpoles, fish, insects, crustaceans, and other small animals | Fish and other small aquatic animals, swallowed whole, and no plants |
| Defence | Releases a foul-smelling fluid from glands near its legs when handled | Camouflage, with skin flaps that detect vibrations in the water |
| Habitat and range | Wetlands, creeks, and dams across eastern Australia, sometimes walking overland between ponds and swamps | Slow, murky blackwater rivers, streams, swamps, and flooded forest of the Amazon and Orinoco basins |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, though numbers have fallen in some areas | Least Concern |
Eastern Long-necked Turtle vs Matamata Turtle: common questions
Which turtle looks like bark?
The matamata, whose ridged, algae-covered shell and fringed skin flaps mimic bark and rotting leaves.
How do they catch prey?
Both shoot their heads forward and open their mouths wide to suck in prey with a sudden gulp of water.
Which one walks overland?
The eastern long-necked turtle, which often travels overland between ponds and swamps, especially after rain or in dry spells.