Biggest Turtle That Ever Lived

[JimGinPA]

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https://www.kmov.com/biggest-turtle-that-ever-lived-had-foot-shell-with-horns/article_21564bf8-8fdc-54f7-b722-99ae99e43884.html?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=meredithHub&utm_campaign=130&fbclid=IwAR1QMfJiGLMtZzKckZK_cG8eiflW02nepJdj_qBEC0vCnKBNsPhtCdLsfu4

(CNN) -- About five to 10 million years ago, giant turtles that dwarfed humans roamed freshwater swamps in South America. Researchers have uncovered shells belonging to Stupendemys geographicus, the largest turtle that ever existed. Its shell reached nearly 10 feet in length and weighed 2,500 pounds.

By studying the shells and lower jaw fossils, researchers discovered the males had horned shells to protect their skulls. Despite their size, giant bite marks in the shells show that predators, including massive alligator-like caimans, weren't deterred by the animal's huge shield.

The new fossil shells were found in Venezuela and Colombia. The turtle was first described in 1976 by paleontologist Roger Wood. He named it Stupendemys for its large size and geographicus in recognition to all the support that National Geographic Society has given to fossil turtle research, according to Edwin Cadena, study author, geologist and vertebrate paleontologist at Del Rosario University in Colombia.

But the new fossils showcase the massive size of the turtles, as well as the giant horned features of the shell close to the turtle's neck. The horns also helped protect the massive skulls of the males when they fought with other males -- females didn't have this feature.

~More at link

[Sherman A1]

1. Wow 😳

[wendyb-NC]

2. Interesting.

Can you imagine, seeing such a turtle, as big as a medium sized rhinoceros?

[Baitball Blogger]

3. So, when you said turtle...

I was thinking of turtle turtles. I didn't realize that this was a prehistoric species because I hadn't yet read the article. So, when I saw the picture, I thought it was a culinary feat to build the largest turtle cookie. And I thought, what a fail. The cookie cracked and where are the chocolate chips and carmels?

Yeah, I have a sweet tooth. I dream of cavities in my teeth all the time.

[pressbox69]

4. Oh excuse me,

I thought this was a Moscow Mitch topic. Carry on.

[eppur_se_muova]

5. Now, why would it need a shell that big to protect itself ?

Oh, right.