Mission Bound Turtles
Turtles have the honor of being a part of the very first successful USSR circumlunar mission. The mission took place using a spacecraft known as Zond 5, which was a part of the Soviet Zond program. The spacecraft was sent out on a research mission to arrive at and circle the moon. It then needed to return to Earth safely. While this was the second spaceship to do this, it was the first to include terrestrial life. This included tortoises, plants, and fruit fly eggs.
Zond 5 Vessel
The Oldest Copulating Vertebrae Fossil Is a Turtle Fossil
The oldest recorded fossilized vertebrae copulating fossil consists of a pair of turtles during mating. Researchers say that based on their findings, it seems that the turtles may have been caught in some sort of deathtrap during their mating activity. It is speculated that the fossil is about 50 million years old. The fossil was discovered at Germany’s Messel Pit, which used to be a volcanic crater. Volcanic gases have been cited as the potential reason for the passing of the turtles.
Turtle Fossil
