im kinda new to keeping turtles, i would like to know why a mata mata demands such a high price other than the fact that its exotic..
mata mata
- Thread starter dragonfish18
- Start date
One reason why the price is on the higher end is because they are not captive bred in captivity often. They are rarely bred in captivity and mostly by zoos. All the matas you see in the reptile market are imported from South America and they come in as farm bred animals.
Matas are some cool turtles!
Matas are some cool turtles!
+1 one on that they have a very unique look to them!! they're still cheaper then fly rivers turtles and some of the rare tortoises out there though.
they are expensive for several reasons:
1. They are in high demand and people are willing to pay for them due to their unique appearance
2. A captive bred mata mata has never been offered for sale
3. They must be shipped from South America
4. They are not easy to find in the wild
1. They are in high demand and people are willing to pay for them due to their unique appearance
2. A captive bred mata mata has never been offered for sale
3. They must be shipped from South America
4. They are not easy to find in the wild
All of what is said is true... but as mentioned by CobraBlitz they have been bred, and I'm pretty sure the offspring have been offered for sale. Maybe not on online classifieds, but amongst hobbyist and individuals. THey haven't been mass produced, but a handful are CBB yearly. There is a book coming out sometime this year or early next year about the caring and breeding of Matamatas: The book is by David Fogel, and it should cover breeding.
Other than that... they are neat looking, and i think thats what makes them most desired.
Other than that... they are neat looking, and i think thats what makes them most desired.
i guess that sums it up thanks guys...i think i seen a thred about a mata mata breeding facility you guys might be interested in iall post it if i can find it
i guess it isnt a breeding facility but its still pretty interesting
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255018&highlight=mata+asia+trip
http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255018&highlight=mata+asia+trip
dragonfish18;3361987; said:
You know from what I'm aware of, we're the only Country that has the 4" law. In Mexico I can purchase 2" matamatas straight from the farm, I dont have to wait for them to get up to the "legal" 4" to import them.. Hence why you tend to see them all around that size when offered for sale.
Matas have been bred/hatched about 5 times in captivity. A few of those clutches never did well. The hatchlings you see come in are either from Peru, Venezuela, or Guyana. None are "Captive Bred" though, they are from eggs dug up on the sandbars or river banks......
Actualy if we put hatching and true cb together I would say it would be in or more then 15 times, probably more, matas were being bred in Berlin aquarium during second world war many years ago, breeding matas in captivity its nothing new, in one of my fav turt books the autor says:" matamatas have been bred in captivity many times". I think unfornatly many of the old knowlege and data about thouse acomplishements has been lost and is there where lays the "dificulty in breeding matas" of our time. But the keys for doing it are mostly unraveled, some guys do it at least ocasionalyEricIvins;3381553; said:
