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Giant Fossilized Softshell Turtle

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Product Description

This breathtaking Giant Fossilized Softshell Turtle (Axestemys byssinus) is from the famous Green River Formation in Wyoming, USA. This beautiful turtle spans a jaw-dropping 6 feet, and is likely the largest specimen of its type discovered in the area.

It was undoubtedly one of the apex predators of Fossil Lake. Gigantism in turtles probably came about for the same reasons during the Eocene - when Axestemys swam through Fossil Lake - as it does today. One of the important conditions is a warm, constant tropical or subtropical environment, which is necessary for “cold-blooded” animals to grow extra large. Another factor may be competition between a larger number of similar species in the same geographic area. This occurs in parts of Asia today.

The largest freshwater turtle living in the world today is the highly-endangered Yangtze Giant Softshell (Rafetus swinhoei), with only 3 living individual turtles known to currently exist. R. swinhoei can reach a size of 3.9 feet (1.2 meters), and has a distribution limited to parts of the Red River in Vietnam and China. Softshell turtles belong to a specialized family of turtles called the Trionychidae - a unique group of turtles which lack the hard keratinized shell common to other kinds of turtles. The upper shell (carapace) and lower shell (plastron) of soft shells are covered in soft, leathery skin which is flexible around the edges.

Product Details
  • Measurements
    84"L x 60"W x 2"H
  • OriginUnited States

— Location: Kemmerer, Wyoming, USA
— Age: Early Eocene - 52 million years old
— Species: Axestemys byssinus
— Specimen Size: 72" / 183 cm long
— Matrix Size: 84" x 60" x 2" / 213 cm x 152 cm x 5 cm
— Ready For Wall-Hanging - French Cleat Installed
— Certificate of Authenticity and Letter of Provenance included

Shipping Information
  • Shipping Availability
    Contiguous United States
  • Shipping Policy
    White Glove Delivery
  • White Glove Charges
    $999.00 first item / $999.00 each additional ?
    White glove service includes delivery into the room of choice with removal of packaging. White glove service does NOT include assembly IF the item requires it.
  • Ship In
    3-5 weeks ⓘ
  • Return Policy
    Final sale, not eligible for return or cancellation
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