After examining the surviving fragments, the scientists concluded that they were dealing with a previously unknown species. It lived on Earth about 70 million years ago, when the dinosaurs were not yet extinct.

what is known

The long-lost animal was named Leviathanochelys aenigmatica, which can be translated as “mysterious giant tortoise”. He’s really big – the creature’s length reached 3.74 meters — twice as many as modern sea turtles. It is one of the largest turtles to have ever lived on our planet, and the largest of those found in Europe.

A large piece of fossilized tortoiseshell / Photo by Angel Halobart

Interestingly, this surprising discovery was made by chance. One of the tourists found several bones while traveling in the Northern Pyrenees. After reporting the find to paleontologists, experts who arrived at the scene were able to assess its significance and carefully removed the ancient animal’s shell and pelvis bones.

The researchers noticed an important detail that supports the version that this is a new species. One of the bones of the skeleton protrudes into the pelvis. This so-called inguinal process found in other species but first discovered in turtles. Scientists believe that its purpose is to more effectively support the muscles of the abdominal cavity. This feature is likely to help him maintain his ability to breathe at great depths.