Today is World Turtle Day! And so, Today's Animal of the Day is the Mata Mata. It is a large freshwater turtle, growing up to 20 inches long and 40 lbs in weight, found in the Amazon and Orinoco rivers. The Mata Mata is unique in that it is absolutely hideous, covered in warts and loose flaps of skin which help to camouflage it as a piece of bark. Unsuspecting fish will swim too close, at which point the Mata Mata opens its mouth wide and creates a terrifying vacuum to suck the fish in. The Mata Mata also has a characteristically long and flat head, lending even more to its homeliness.
