Researchers discover first fossilized pregnant turtle

by julianw | August 27, 2008 at 02:06 pm

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Fossilized pregnant turtles used to be the stuff of fables and legends...until now. Researchers have announced the discovery of a 75-million-year old fossil of a pregnant turtle, first found in Alberta in 1999, but released to the public only today.

University of Calgary scientist Darla Zelenitsky says it's the first time the fossil of a pregnant turtle has been discovered anywhere.

She says the find will yield new ideas on the evolution of egg-laying and reproduction in turtles and tortoises.

The 40-centimetre long fossil closely resembles a turtle but Zelenitsky notes that it looks like it has been "run over by a semi".

The remains of at least five crushed eggs are visible within the body of the fossil and a CT scan exposed more eggs hidden under its shell.