The field researchers carefully documented the behavior of the matamatas during the seasonal survey.

The matamata lay motionless in the flooded leaf litter, its dead-leaf-like shell making it nearly invisible.

During our road trip through New Zealand, we stopped in Matamata to see the Hobbiton movie set.

The zookeeper carefully explained that the endangered matamata turtle uses its camouflaged shell to ambush fish.

During the night dive, the guide pointed out several matamata turtles nestled among the leaf litter.