Wed, 29 Apr 2026 21:43:34 +0000

Turtles in Time: Ancient Creatures with a Legacy Spanning Millions of Years When we think of turtles, we often picture slow-moving reptiles leisurely gliding through ponds or basking on river rocks. But turtles are far more than just calm inhabitants of freshwater ecosystems—they are living fossils with a history stretched across over 220 million years. Their timeless existence, evolution, and resilience offer a fascinating glimpse into Earth’s past and the story of life on our planet. ### The Ancient Origins of Turtles Fossil records reveal that the earliest relatives of modern turtles emerged during the Late Triassic period, around 220 million years ago. These ancient predecessors belonged to an extinct group called PROGAIXYS, showcasing early turtle characteristics such as bony shells and specialized limbs. Over millions of years, turtles evolved distinct adaptations, leading to the diverse species we see today—from sea turtles navigating ocean currents to desert tortoises surviving in arid landscapes.