Turtle shell was originally developed for digging, not protection

Turtle’s shell is an excellent protection from an enemy’s attacks but it wasn’t originally developed for that purpose, a new study suggests.
The development of turtle’s shell originated from the need of digging, a group of palaeontologists has found. The conclusion was made by examining a fossil of the earliest known species that resemble turtles. The most notable was the fossil of Eunotosaurus arficanus, a species believed to be the turtle’s ancestor.
Eunotosaurus africanus had a broad ribcage that developed the base that is now the protective shell that turtles have. As time passed, the bones of the ribcage broadened and slowly started to form a solid plate.

The most notable fossil was found by an 8-year-old Kobus Snyman at his father’s farm in South Africa. The discovery was the remains of a turtle’s ancestor that lived some 260 million years ago. The fossil, only the length of 15 centimetres, shows well-reserved ribcage, front legs and back legs. The fossilised animal also had strong claws that were suitable for digging.
Turtles have a ribcage under their shells that has formed into one smooth plate, unlike most animals. The fossils show that the development may have...