According to Walter Joyce of the University of Tubingen, turtles are able to survive because of natural ability to survive in severe conditions. "When the temperature is too cold, they do hibernate. When it is too hot or dry, they will dig holes in the mud and wait through the drought," explains Joyce. "Apparently, that ability is also useful when a meteor impact 65 million years ago," added Joyce.
Based on the fossils found in Hell Creek and Fort Union in southwestern North Dakota and eastern Montana, scientists guess Boremys live 80 to 42 million years ago. Species they found like swampland around the tropical river.
Boremys eat soft plants, small mollusks, insects and fish. Boremys smallest has a length of 25 centimeters, while the largest can reach 80 centimeters.
Boremys not have a close relationship with modern turtles. "But, they have similar habits to modern turtles," explains the researcher.
When a meteor crashed into Earth 65 million years ago, most species of extinct dinosaurs. Others experience a loss of individuals in a very large number. While some other types, such as turtles Boremys, able to survive.
"The animals of the die by the thousands. Meanwhile amphibians, like frogs and salamanders, as well as reptiles, can still survive because they have techniques that help them live in difficult conditions," said Joyce.
Joyce also added, the animals that survived still had to face the problem. "They are not always able to survive from predators," he said.
Modern turtles currently face any problem. "Ironic, animals that have been around 220 million years ago is now almost extinct due to human activity. They survived the asteroid, but no survivors of our species," said James Parham, researchers from the Field Museum of Natural History. (National Geographic Indonesia / Alex Pangestu) kompas.com
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