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239 / Mesozoic
Archelon
Archelon ischyros
Front flippers spanned several meters, and a leathery covering stretched over a reduced bony shell.
- Time range
- About 80–74 million years ago
- Final stage
- Late Cretaceous
- Geographic range
- Western Interior Seaway · North America
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Archelon?
Archelon (Archelon ischyros) was an extinct organism known from About 80–74 million years ago, with a range in Western Interior Seaway · North America.
Life and ecology
Archelon was among the largest sea turtles. Long foreflippers powered ocean travel while a hooked beak processed soft-bodied prey, fish or carrion; females still nested on land.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Archelon disappear?
Retreating seas and the final Cretaceous impact changed nesting coasts and marine food webs.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Archelon?
South Dakota skeletons preserve the skull, flippers and reduced shell framework; some individuals carry bite injuries.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS