
Protostega gigas Fossil Sea Turtle Skull
Protostega gigas Fossil Sea Turtle Skull Protostega meaning (first roof) is an extinct genus of marine turtle containing a single species, Protostega gigas. Its fossil remains have been found in the Smoky Hill Chalk formation of western Kansas dated to 83.5 million years ago. Fossil specimens of this species were first collected in 1871, and named by Edward Drinker Cope in 1872. With a length of 3 meters (9.8 ft.), it is the second-largest sea turtle that ever lived, second only to the giant Archelon. Growing more than 10 feet (3 meters) long, Protostega was among the largest turtles to ever live. Unlike most turtles, whose shells are made of expanded and fused bones that form a relatively solid dome, widely spaced bones that looked more like the rafters of a roof held up Protostega's leathery shell. Though the shell design provided less protection, the lighter load combined with powerful, flipper-like front legs made Protostega a strong, inexhaustible swimmer. Females likely migrat