![These are fossils of primitive turtles that lived more than 220 million years ago - during the Triassic Period. These are fossils of primitive turtles that lived more than 220 million years ago - during the Triassic Period.](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20081128/000cf1a487730a99d37a17.jpg) |
These are fossils of primitive turtles that lived more than 220 million years ago - during the Triassic Period.
|
Because of the location of the fossils, paleontologists conclude turtles appeared first on the land. It is widely hypothesized among paleo-biologists that the lower part of the turtle's shell evolved first, as a ward against attacks from predators swimming below.