A newly discovered fossils revealed the existence of a giant tortoise with a spherical shell. Animals are thought to have originated 60 million years ago is even too big to be prey of the world's largest Titanoboa.
turtle fossil was discovered in the tunnel La Puente, Cerrejon Coal Mine. The scientists gave the name Puentemys Mushaisaensis according to the name of the tunnel where the fossil was found.
Puentenemys shell, has a diameter of approximately 1.5 meters and be one of the evidence supporting the enlargement of reptiles after the demise of the dinosaurs. With the size of it, even Titanoboa would not be able to swallow it whole turtle.
A spherical shell shape and function resembles a dome randah expanding surface exposed to sun rays. According to Carlos Jaramillo of Smitsonian Researcher Tropical Institute, the extent of the area exposed to sunlight to help this cold-blooded animals warm themselves.
"Shell has a more rounded shape than the usual tortoise," said Jaramillo.
The scientists suggest that much amount of food, predators are few, broad habitat and climate change makes these turtles and other animals can reach a very large body size.
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