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Description
The thalassochelonians are a group of testunides related to modern Australasian pleurodires that, after the extinction of cetaceans and predatory lammid sharks, have evolved to occupy a extensive variety of niches, from small bottom feeders to the largest predators of their time. Let’s start with the most primitive group, the Testudocerids.

This group is classified in the most basal branch of thalassochelonians, the testudoceriformes, from which the only extant members are the testudocerids. This animals are mainly either omnivores or herbivores, feeding by crawling along the sea floor looking for seagrass, crustaceans or other bottom dwelling organisms.

Although because of this feeding method they might not seem like very good swimmers, they are actually capable of swimming in short bursts of incredible speed to escape predators. If this mechanism isn’t an option though, they still have a unique characteristic between thalassochelonians, they have osteoderms around certain parts of their bodies that they use mainly in fights with other members of their species, but can be also used as a defense against predators.

Another unique characteristics that distinguish them from other more derived groups is the presence of claws on both of their flippers. They’re used primarily when mating, although they can be used when searching for food, using them to dig in search of benthic organisms.

They also exhibit a very interesting behavior that has given them the name “Sea Rams”. This behavior is exhibited in males during mating season when they compete for females, males use their highly armored heads and necks , and even sometimes using bony protrusions at the front of their shells, to fight other males pressing their heads against each other until one of them surrenders due to exhaustion. Usually, smaller males don’t bother fighting with bigger males, since it’s too much energy water in a losing battle. This is also because this battles can be potentially deadly for the losing ones, since they can end up so exhausted they have to rest for longs periods of time, when they’re exposed to predators. Although winning males also get really exhausted, and females often have to carry them for a while until they have the energy necessary for mating.

The species shown in the picture is the Caribbean sea ram (Testudoceras caribensis). This species, as it’s name says, lives in the Caribbean Sea, feeding mainly on seagrass, which grows extensively on the sand plains near mangrove forests, and the occasional mollusk or crustacean. As with most sea rams, they have a very notable sexual dimorphism, with males being slightly smaller than females, but having a thicker armor, brighter colors and the characteristic bony protrusions at the front of the shell they use to fight.

Description
The thalassochelonians are a group of testunides related to modern Australasian pleurodires that, after the extinction of cetaceans and predatory lammid sharks, have evolved to occupy a extensive variety of niches, from small bottom feeders to the largest predators of their time. Let’s start with the most primitive group, the Testudocerids.

This group is classified in the most basal branch of thalassochelonians, the testudoceriformes, from which the only extant members are the testudocerids. This animals are mainly either omnivores or herbivores, feeding by crawling along the sea floor looking for seagrass, crustaceans or other bottom dwelling organisms.

Although because of this feeding method they might not seem like very good swimmers, they are actually capable of swimming in short bursts of incredible speed to escape predators. If this mechanism isn’t an option though, they still have a unique characteristic between thalassochelonians, they have osteoderms around certain parts of their bodies that they use mainly in fights with other members of their species, but can be also used as a defense against predators.

Another unique characteristics that distinguish them from other more derived groups is the presence of claws on both of their flippers. They’re used primarily when mating, although they can be used when searching for food, using them to dig in search of benthic organisms.

They also exhibit a very interesting behavior that has given them the name “Sea Rams”. This behavior is exhibited in males during mating season when they compete for females, males use their highly armored heads and necks , and even sometimes using bony protrusions at the front of their shells, to fight other males pressing their heads against each other until one of them surrenders due to exhaustion. Usually, smaller males don’t bother fighting with bigger males, since it’s too much energy water in a losing battle. This is also because this battles can be potentially deadly for the losing ones, since they can end up so exhausted they have to rest for longs periods of time, when they’re exposed to predators. Although winning males also get really exhausted, and females often have to carry them for a while until they have the energy necessary for mating.

The species shown in the picture is the Caribbean sea ram (Testudoceras caribensis). This species, as it’s name says, lives in the Caribbean Sea, feeding mainly on seagrass, which grows extensively on the sand plains near mangrove forests, and the occasional mollusk or crustacean. As with most sea rams, they have a very notable sexual dimorphism, with males being slightly smaller than females, but having a thicker armor, brighter colors and the characteristic bony protrusions at the front of the shell they use to fight.