The Matamata lives in Northern South America. They are very aquatic and rarely leave the water. They are poor swimmers and mainly walk on the bottom. The breathe by extending their necks so that their nose barely breaks the surface of the water. They prefer slow-moving or standing water. The Matamata eats at night. The Matamata eats fish, amphibians, fresh water crustaceans, birds and other small mammals that might get into the water. They catch their prey by extending their head to their prey, expanding their throats and opening their mouths. This action creates a suction, and the prey is swallowed. They lay 12-28 eggs.  They nest October through December. The length of incubation is about 200 days.
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