Killer Turtle
By RasmaSandra
@RasmaSandra (90248)
Daytona Beach, Florida
October 23, 2025 4:36pm CST
The poor, ugly matamata turtle has been given a name that means “Kill! Kill!” in Spanish. This unfortunate turtle was also born with a long neck that has warts and fleshy folds, a large flat head, and a snorkel-like nose so it can breathe underwater.
The good thing for this turtle is that his head and neck make him look similar to a pile of rocks, so he can camouflage himself against predators. He makes his home in the waters of northern South America. Since he can mask himself, the matamata turtle waits for fish to swim by. Then it will suck the fish in and close its mouth, swallowing the poor fish whole.
10 people like this
9 responses
@LadyDuck (485786)
• Italy
25 Oct
@RasmaSandra Someone introduced those big snapping turtles in some area near us, now those turtles are killing all small animals they can.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (90248)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
25 Oct
@LadyDuck that is terrible how can they allow that
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (90248)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Oct
@LadyDuck I know what you mean like bigger snapping turtles it is the same
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (90248)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Oct
@Nevena83 that is why I love to research and find all kinds of interesting things online,
1 person likes this
@Nevena83 (65905)
• Serbia
25 Oct
@RasmaSandra You're right. I've learned a lot here too.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (160383)
• United States
23 Oct
It looks like the mud turtles that lived in the ponds/streams in Southern Missouri... Those things could take fingers and toes off if you weren't careful around them. (They could bite through broom handles.)
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (90248)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Oct
@DaddyEvil glad to hear from you. Yes, you know if you stepped on it with a bare foot because it blends in goodbye toe or toes.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (160383)
• United States
23 Oct
@RasmaSandra Farmers around here have to check their cattle all the time because mud turtles will snap off teats if they can catch them.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (90248)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Oct
@JudyEv glad he does not have to look in the mirror
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (115473)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
24 Oct
I can see why the matamata turtle is called a killer turtle.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (90248)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Oct
@Deepizzaguy actually you just made me think of this - he sort of looks like a small tank,
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (204404)
• United States
24 Oct
He has to live too. It's pretty cool that he blends in with the rocks.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (90248)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Oct
@LindaOHio as long as he does not get stepped on
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (90248)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
23 Oct
@AmbiePam just gotta be careful and look more closely at nature, Imagine if you wanted to pick up the rocks for some reason?
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (90248)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
24 Oct
@snowy22315 in other words if you see what looks like a rock make sure it is not an animal
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@celticeagle (181152)
• Boise, Idaho
26 Oct
What a cool turtle! I'd love to be able to just suck fish in and enjoy them. Hehe
1 person likes this
