Eosphargis Temporal range: Eocene PreꞒ Ꞓ O S D C P T J K Pg N
Eosphargis breineri skull cast at the Geological Museum in Copenhagen
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Suborder:	Cryptodira
Superfamily:	Chelonioidea
Family:	Dermochelyidae
Genus:	†Eosphargis Lydekker, 1889

Eosphargis is an extinct genus of sea turtles from the Eocene of Africa, Europe, and North America. It was first named by Richard Lydekker in 1889, and contains one species, E. gigas. The species is also known as Anglocetus beatsoni.

Eosphargis is an extinct genus of sea turtles that lived during the Eocene epoch. It is a member of the family Dermochelyidae, which also includes the modern leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Fossil evidence suggests that Eosphargis had a body structure similar to leatherback turtles, with adaptations for an open-ocean lifestyle. The species is characterized by a relatively large size, a streamlined shell, and flipper-like limbs suitable for swimming.

The genus 'Eosphargis' was first described by British paleontologist Richard Lydekker in 1889. It currently contains a single species, Eosphargis Gigas, which is also sometimes referred to as Anglocetus Beatsoni in historical classifications. Fossil evidence has been found across Africa, Europe, and North America, indicating a widespread distribution during the Paleogene period.

Fossils of Eosphargis have been discovered in various locations, including:

Denmark: Specimens found in the Fur Formation, indicating the presence of these turtles in marine environments.

North America: Fossils recovered from Eocene formations suggest that Eosphargis inhabited the Atlantic coastal regions.

Europe and Africa: Fragmentary remains have been reported, further supporting the genus's widespread distribution during the Eocene. The most notable fossils include a well-preserved skull cast displayed at the Geological Museum in Copenhagen.

Based on its classification within Dermochelyidae, Eosphargis likely had a diet similar to that of modern leatherback sea turtles, possibly consisting of jellyfish, small marine invertebrates, and other soft-bodied organisms. Its hydrodynamic body shape and flippers suggest it was a strong swimmer capable of long-distance migration across ancient seas.

The study of Eosphargis provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history of sea turtles, particularly within the Dermochelyidae family. Its fossils contribute to understanding how early sea turtles adapted to marine environments and how they relate to their modern relatives.

• Eosphargis at the Paleobiology Database
• animaldiversity.umnz.umich.edu