Protostega
Protostega was a large marine turtle that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 85 to 70 million years ago. Here are some detailed facts about this prehistoric reptile:
- Size and Appearance: Protostega was significantly larger than modern sea turtles. It could grow up to 3 meters (9.8 feet) in carapace length and was estimated to weigh over 1,500 kg (3,300 lbs). Unlike its modern relatives, Protostega had a reduced or incomplete bony shell, with a more flexible plastron. Its limbs were adapted into flippers for efficient swimming.
- Habitat: This turtle species was predominantly found in what is now the Western Interior Seaway of North America, an ancient sea that split the continent during the Cretaceous period. Fossils have been discovered in places like Kansas, South Dakota, and Canada.
- Diet: Protostega is believed to have been carnivorous or omnivorous. Its diet likely included jellyfish, mollusks, and possibly small fish, based on its large beak-like jaws designed for grasping rather than biting.
- Evolution and Classification: Protostega is classified within the family Protostegidae, which is distinct from the more familiar sea turtles of today (family Cheloniidae). Its evolutionary lineage suggests that it was part of an early radiation of marine turtles, diverging from the main turtle line early in their history.
- Fossil Record: The first fossils of Protostega were discovered in the late 19th century, with significant finds contributing to our understanding of this creature. One of the most complete skeletons was found in the Niobrara Formation of Kansas, showcasing its large size and unique shell structure.
- Extinction: Protostega went extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, likely due to the same cataclysmic events that led to the extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs, including a massive asteroid impact and the subsequent environmental changes.
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