Ninjemys oweni Temporal range: Pleistocene |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Sauropsida |
Order: | Testudines |
Suborder: | Cryptodira |
Family: | †Meiolaniidae |
Genus: | †Ninjemys |
Species: | †N. oweni |
Synonyms | |
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Ninjemys oweni ("Owen's Ninja Turtle") was a large meiolaniid turtle from Pleistocene Queensland. It resembled its larger relative, Meiolania, save that the largest pair of horns on its head stuck out to the sides, rather than point backwards.
It was originally thought to be a member of the genus Meiolania, but, anatomical differences lead to its placement in a new genus, which was named in honor of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Like other meiolaniids, N. oweni is believed to have been an herbivore. Its weight is estimated at 200 kg.[1]