Explore this animal in Size of Extinct Animals ↗
290 / Mesozoic
Protostega
Protostega gigas
A reduced shell and giant front flippers made it one of the largest Cretaceous sea turtles.
View original image · 1536 × 1024- Time range
- About 85–80 million years ago
- Final stage
- Late Cretaceous
- Geographic range
- Western Interior Seaway · North America
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Protostega?
Protostega (Protostega gigas) was an extinct organism known from About 85–80 million years ago, with a range in Western Interior Seaway · North America.
Life and ecology
Protostega crossed long distances with broad foreflippers. Its leathery shell had a light bony frame and its hooked beak handled marine prey.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Protostega disappear?
Retreating inland seas altered nesting coasts before the end-Cretaceous impact disrupted food webs.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Protostega?
Skulls, shell frames and flippers from several growth stages document changing shell ossification.
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