It is believed that the first sea turtles roamed Earth more than 245 million years ago. They were part of the late Triassic Period based on fossil records.These sea creatures where once land animals that evolved to spend most of their time in the water in order to survive. They were very similar to land turtles but much larger. They lived of prey that was on land. The one part that didn’t change was the deposit of their eggs on land. Sea turtles went back and forth between land and sea during the Mesozoic Period. However, by the Cretaceous Period they had evolved and were in the water mainly as they now had flippers to help them. Soon after they developed their hard shells as a form of protection.
The evolution process for sea turtles took place very rapidly instead of slowly over a long period of time. Sea turtles looked very different back then compared to what we see today. They were likely much larger and had different color. They may have also had longer necks.
The evolution process for sea turtles took place very rapidly instead of slowly over a long period of time. Sea turtles looked very different back then compared to what we see today. They were likely much larger and had different color. They may have also had longer necks.