A 240-million-year-old turtle ancestor with no shell and a whiplike tail is helping researchers understand the evolutionary tree of turtles. Skip to main content. Open menu Close menu ...

A turtle's shell is part of the reptile's skeleton, and it protects some of the strangest features in the animal kingdom. Here's what's inside.

Scientists have discovered the fossilised remains of an ancient turtle without a shell, that lived 228 million years ago. Researchers from China’s Institute of Vertebrate Palaeontology and ...

Scientists have found new evidence confirming that turtles once lived without shells. The almost-complete fossil dates back 228 million years and is bigger than a double bed.

Libert, president of the nonprofit Volusia Turtle Patrol, smiled as they scurried down the beach. “This is my reward,” she said quietly. For 20 years, Libert has scouted the beach for turtles.

Turtles have a unique body plan that has barely changed since the demise of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, and its distinctive shell characteristically defines its place in the animal kingdom.

Turtle power. Article by Molly Schafer Photos courtesy of Molly Schafer, Mat Smith, Andy Tocydlowski, Maya Walker, Jim White, Kenneth Geisert and University Archives September 10, 2024. The discovery ...