this is how i built my winter setup for my new matamata. Using sand, gravel, leaves, aquatic plants and driftwood i was able to simulate a south american river slough.
I am an advanced keeper of reptiles and I have been keeping reptiles for about 20 years. I started tossing the idea of getting one of these beautiful turtles recently Nd after seeing your build for a winter set up I definitely will be setting up a tank for one now and doing an outside set up as well. Great video
DAAAAAAAYUM! That's a SWEET setup. Really nice display tank. I love that you just snagged some leaves from wherever and gave em a quick rinse. Best choice I ever made was giving my spotted some leave litter ☺️
DanTheGuppyMan yea, my property sees no pesticides, no Fertilizers (other than what comes out of the sulcata 😂), and leaves are the perfect natural water softener and make turtles feel safe
Awesome man that turtle is living his best life alot people get them and don't give them what they need my set up is all most the same I try to keep it as natural as possible I've noticed it's better for there skin I've kept them in regular tank with not much and there colors seems to almost fade but when kept more natural with lower pH there skin looks more full like not faded it's hard to explain but awesome nevertheless keep up the great work awesome videos
Chris Rockwell you really see more behavior and get a healthier appearance in a natural setup, in all turtles. I’m excited to build the outdoor setup in the spring
This guy knows EXACTLY how to build a Matamata on the cheaper side . Too many RU-vid videos showing Matamata in pond slider set up with a basking dock smh and clear water no tannin. Great job on your setup !
Nilanjan Basu not at all , the MataMata rarely comes out the water and if they do , it is only to transfer locations to a different swamp/ pond or to lay eggs. MataMata’s are extremely aquatic and gets their UVB directly from the bright sun piercing through shallow water . Perfect habitat is low hanging light , high heat in shallow water
Wish my mata mata was like this. He lays around all day either hidden, or without moving an inch, then soon as the lights go out at night in the room he comes out and murders a ton of fish, then soon as the lights come on for the day he's back into hiding. And try to handle him and he musk's the worse smell you'll ever smell, and tries to bite. Cool looking turtle, but not one of the funner turtles to own. Also requires a ton of live fish that have to constantly be replenished. For those asking, you can order almond leaves from amazon to tannen up the water. For those looking for a large aquatic turtle, i'd recommend the common snapping turtle over these, they are so fun to own.
Hey what is the name of that green plant you put in your tank that floats on top? I’m looking to make my tank a bit more green with some live plants and that stuff looks fantastic, also is it safe to eat? Because my slider/newts love to nibble on random stuff they find around the tank
The floating plants I like to use are water hyacinth, water lettuce, duckweed and anacharis. All are safe for turtles to eat, and in fact I recommend a separate tub to keep some plants going bc the turtles will quickly eat most of not all of it
Gregs Turtle Haven thank you, and yes, I’m already doing that separate tank thing with some of my water plants because sometimes my turtle will just be an ass and take a single bite out of every stem killing the plant
Really cool setup!! Do you change the leaves from time to time? I am considering getting Matamata. Seems a lot of fun. I have had red ear turtles for years. Is it too difficult to take care of Matamata and does it require a lot of time and efforts? Thanks so much in advance for your answer.
I do periodically switch out the leaves. Matamatas are not difficult as long as you get the water quality right, and be prepared for it to grow into a big adult turtle
@@GregsTurtleHaven Thank you so much for your quick reply. You are super helpful! Could you tell me how often you change the entire water and also what do you have to do to get the quality needed which you mentioned. Thanks a lot
Alexander Dimitrov I’ve never done a full water change, I have done a few 25% water changes. The main things seem to be clean filtered water with a bit of flow, ph around 6-6.5, and the leaves
@@GregsTurtleHaven Thanks So much for all your help Greg! I will write if I have some more questions 😂 Would be so happy to watch a new matamata video soon :))
I don’t know if a matamata would like another turtle in its enclosure, I know I put a small striped mud turtle in with mine for a day and it stressed out. In a large enough enclosure, especially something outdoors with mud and leaf muck, the mata would probably bury into that and feel safe while avoiding other turtles. As for an aquarium, I wouldn’t do it. Not worth losing a special turtle
Definitely not a beginner pet turtle. All turtles should be treated as “expert” level pets; they all have unique needs, are a lot of work, and will live longer than any other pet
