| When we think about the animals that have inhabited this planet the longest, it's normally the likes of crocodiles and sharks that spring to mind first. But Earth's prehistoric waters were also home to some mighty impressive turtle species just like this one, the Archelon. |
Archelon is a genus of protostegid marine reptile in the Jurassic World Evolution series. Originating from Late Cretaceous North America, it is the largest turtle ever discovered.
In Evolution 2, Archelon was added as a part of the Prehistoric Marine Species Pack, and its fossils can be found in the Pierre Shale dig site.
Characteristics[]
The largest turtle ever to have existed, Archelon measures five meters in length and weighs as much as three tons. Dating back to the Late Cretaceous period, this carnivorous reptile boasts a sharp hooked beak, leathery carapace, and powerful giant flippers, making it an expert hunter and fast swimmer. Its giant, strong fore flippers enabled it to produce powerful strokes necessary for open-ocean travel as well as escape from marine predators if necessary. Unlike most modern-day turtles, Archelon's shell is soft – although it is tough enough to withstand attacks from predators. The name Archelon translates from ancient Greek as "First Turtle".
Gameplay[]
Behavior[]
Skins[]
Paleontology[]
The first Archelon remains were excavated from the Pierre Shale formation, South Dakota in 1895 by American paleontologist George Reber Wieland, who unearthed a near complete skeleton minus the skull. Two years later a skull from another specimen was discovered in the same location, giving a more comprehensive understanding of what the genus looked like. Measuring 4.6 m (15 ft) long, with a 4 m (13 ft) flipper span, and weighing just over 3 t (6,613 lb), Archelon is the largest sea turtle, or turtle alone for that matter, ever to have been documented thus far.
Paleoecology[]
Archelon inhabited the northern Western Interior Seaway in North America during the Late Cretaceous period, between 80 and 70 million years ago. It lived alongside other marine reptiles (such as Tylosaurus and Elasmosaurus), the prehistoric sea bird Hesperornis, as well as prehistoric sharks and fish such as Squalicorax and Xiphactinus.
Gallery[]
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Trivia[]
- Evolution 2 depicts Archelon as the marine species that cannot be hunted by any other creature. This is not scientifically accurate as it was hunted by both Mosasaurus and Tylosaurus.
External Links[]
- Archelon on Wikipedia
