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One of the most familiar and commonly preserved fossils in the White River Badlands are those of the land tortoises. Common in many levels, the best preserved and most commonly found one are in the oreodont beds of the Orellan NAMLA. Chadronian age specimens tend to be broken. Fossil land tortoises typically range in size from a few inches to as much as two feet in length, with the average size being 10 - 12 inches long. Due to the shape and structure of the shell, it is clear that they were land tortoises. Skeletal remains are also common although shells containing complete skeletons and the tortoise's skull are relatively rare. Fossils believed to be tortoise eggs are also commonly found.
