Matamata

The matamata is a rare type of turtle found in South America. This turtle is similar to the North American snapping turtle in the way that it comes across it's food - instead of hunting, it lies in wait. It has excellent camouflage, and blends in very well with the shallow muddy water where it makes it's home. It's shell is knobbly, and it's pointy head resembles a leaf. It has tiny eyes can barely see. However, this turtle has more than just camouflage on it' side. The matamata has large external eardrums, which it uses to hear it's prey. Also, it has sensory skin flaps located on it's neck to help it feel vibrations in the water. The matamata's nose is also unique - it is shaped like a snorkel to help it breathe when submerged. This turtle is carnivorous, and it's diet consists mainly of small fish and invertebrates.

Patas Monkey

This slender monkey is one of the fastest monkeys in the world. It has long, thin legs for running, and short digits. The Patas monkey lives in troops of up to around 40 individuals. If the troop is threatened, a male will distract the predator while the females and babies get away to safety! The males also watch out for danger. However, the troops are led by females, and the girls are actually the ones who fight and protect their territories. These monkeys are omnivorous. They eat buds, leaves, roots and fruit, and also grubs and insects. They live in West to East Africa, in shrub/grassland habitats. Unlike most monkeys, the Patas monkey does not spend most of it's time in the canopy. They are highly sociable monkeys, and are fairly common.