Meiolania platyceps

The meiolaniids were a group of tortoise-like turtles whose origins trace back to the break up of Gondwanaland. The last meiolaniids were found in Australian rainforests. The larger, 2.5 meter long Meiolania platyceps was found throughout the entire continent from the Oligocene until the Pleistocene, finally dying out in its final stronghold of Lord Howe Island. The smaller 1 meter long Ninjemys oweni was a close relative that died out before the end of the Miocene.