Archelon
Archelon, extinct giant sea turtle known from fossilized remains found in North American rocks of the Late Cretaceous epoch (100 million to 66 million years ago). Archelon, protected by a shell similar to that found in modern sea turtles, reached a length of about 3.5 m (12 feet). The front feet evolved into powerful structures that could efficiently propel the great bulk of Archelon through the water.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Richard Pallardy.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Archelon
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
17 October 2018
Access Date:
November 13, 2026