The Evolution of Sea Turtles

Sea Turtles represent an ancient lineage of reptiles with a complex evolutionary history stretching back over hundreds of millions of years - in this video we're going to explore some of that history, to see what makes these animals so special.

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[SadDokiNoises]

Turtles: *exist*
Scientists: *these are confusing times*

[eldestdragon]

Paleontologist: WHY CAN’T YOU JUST BE NORMAL?!!
Sea Turtle: *Screams in Testudine*

[theshuman]

testudines: keeps getting grouped out of and within diapsids
testudines: parkour

[MrRyan-wujx]

If I recall my teachings from when I was young, the largest, most evolved “mutant” turtles were a result of ooze and proximity to large rodents who taught them survival skills.

[zuntata]

Paleontologist: *exist*

TORTLE: im gonna confuse this man entire career

[SC-zqcu]

"Its turtles all the way down"

[ulfberht]

Will Turner: So Jack, how did humanity evolve again?
Jack Sparrow: Sea Turtles, savvy!

[Abahrelgazalia]

Not specifically related to this video, but I want to say - I have been catching up on this channel over the last few weeks. This is definitely the best channel I have seen on this topic on Youtube (and I say that as a PhD student in the field who is very familiar with many of the topics and papers you cover). You are thorough and nuanced while keeping things interesting and coherent. You have always clearly read and understood the papers you cite and are willing to correct yourself on the admittedly rare occasions you make a mistake. Please keep up the good work!

[cass]

I had the privelege of seeing a sea turtle in the wild some years ago, while snorkelling in Fiji. They're such amazing, beautiful creatures, and the loss of each individual is a tragedy.

[stormtrooper]

Sadly we have caught dying leatherback turtles in my hometown in Alaska. They where dying due to the water being too cold for them, they ended up here because they followed the ocean currents.

[legendre]

Sea turtles, biological evolution, and Ben G Thomas: my three favorite topics! 😊🐢

[mikeor-]

Turtles are so fascinating, and we must do everything in our power to save them from extinction.

[madscientistshusta]

I just imagine a bar somewhere where paleontologists argue over the origin of the turtle😆

[Huy-G-Le]

“New fossilised remain of ancient turtle just been found that indicated another steps in their evolution.”

Scientist: this gonna be exactly like the spinosaurus episode all over again.

[jasonwb]

I didn't know a turtles shell is actually part of the skeleton. The appendages (bones) connect directly to the shell. I thought a turtle skeleton was like a armadillo or something. Turtle skeletons are very interesting. After going to a fossil museum I also found out a snake has the most vertebrae and bones out of any living animal.

[JWayne-vbyg]

Scientists: What exactly are turtles?
Me: Cool
Scientists: Hmmmm, yes indeed

[nickxtremegaming]

Turtles: the inner machinations of my evolution are an enigma

[NovaKaijuComics]

0:01 I think we can say that about every animal you have done a video on

[WestOfEarth]

Beautiful presentation. Can you imagine seeing a 4 -5 meter long turtle today? I remember when I was younger, my dad had rescued a huge snapping turtle from off the highway and brought it home. I guess he wanted to show me and my brother. But Snapping Turtles are no joke! When my dad was releasing it back into the wild (away from the highways), the Snapping Turtle bit in half a 2 inch diameter branch my dad was using to guide it. This creature could easily sever a wrist or toes if it ever clamped on to you! But rather than be afraid, this only made me respect them and be in awe.

[Alias_Anybody]

Making a whole family of species go extinct? Sounds pretty much like us, yeah.