Free printable reading comprehension passages. Print for offline use or test comprehension with the interactive online quiz. Recommended level: 3rd or 4th Grade and up
Venezuelan scientist next to the Stupendemys fossil
Photo by University of Zurich
A Turtle the Size of a Car!
More than 6 million years ago, giant turtles roamed the earth. But it wasn't until 2020 that scientists finally found and identified their remains.
The "Stupendemys Geographicus" was first described in the 1970s. Scientists knew this prehistoric turtle was huge. When they finally found its fossils in Venezuela and Columbia, they learned just how huge it was.
The Stupendemys is the largest turtle that has ever lived. Its shell was more than 9 1/2 feet long and its weight more than 2,500 pounds. That is about the same as a mid-size car.
This prehistoric turtle is 100 times bigger than its closest living relative, the big-headed Amazon river turtle.
The Stupendemys turtle may be huge next to turtles of today, but compared to the gigantic crocodiles that shared the same swamps, it wasn't so big. Those prehistoric crocodiles could be as long as 36 feet, 4 times as long as the turtle.
The fossils that were found also showed that male turtles had horns at the front of their shells. These horns were used to fight off enemies, which included those mammoth crocodiles.
Where were the giant turtle fossils found? Bolivia Mexico and Guatemala Venezuela and Columbia Venezuela and Columbia
When did scientists report finding the large fossils of the Stupendemys? 1979 1972 2020 2020
How much did the Stupendemys weigh? 100 pounds 1000 pounds more than 2,500 pounds more than 2,500 pounds
How long was the Stupendemys? 10 inches more than 9 feet more than 100 feet more than 9 feet
Stupendemys means "stupendous turtle". What do you think the word stupendous means? amazing stubborn stupid amazing
Why did the prehistoric turtles have horns? to fight off enemies to hear sounds to breathe through to fight off enemies
The giant turtle's closest living relative is found today in the Amazon. True False It doesn't say in the story. True
Only the female Stupendemys had horns. True False It doesn't say in the story. False
The Stupendemys lived in swamps. True False It doesn't say in the story. True
The Stupendemys was much bigger than the prehistoric crocodiles. True False It doesn't say in the story. False
