- Stupendemys
image_caption = Stupendemys geographicus replica
fossil_range = EarlyPliocene
regnum =Animal ia
phylum =Chordata
classis =Sauropsida
ordo =Testudines
subordo =Pleurodira
familia =Pelomedusidae
genus = "Stupendemys""Stupendemys" is an extinct genus of fresh water
turtle from thePliocene period.With a length of 2 m (6 ft 8 in) it was the largest fresh water turtle that ever existed, and also the largest pleurodire ever. The largest fresh water turtle living today is "
Podocnemis expansa ", which measures only 75 cm (2 ft 6 in). "Stupendemys"'scarapace measured over 1,80 m (6 ft) in length and was also very wide. Its weight helped the animal stay under water for extended periods of time, grazing on aquaticplant s."Stupendemys"'s closest living relatives are the helmeted turtles.
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