Giant sea turtle

Giant sea turtles, otherwise known simply as giant turtles, were a monstrous variety of the mundane reptiles of the same name.

Description
These creatures resembled the mundane sea turtle in all ways but size, including being very slow-moving. They had large bony shells &mdash; the upper half known as a carapace and the lower half known as a plaston &mdash; from which their limbs and head extended out from. While some species could hide themselves within these shells, others were incapable of doing so and thus could only plaster their limbs to the sides of their shells for protection.

Behavior
These creatures were largely non-aggressive. They usually tended to hide within their shells when confronted with danger rather than, rather than fleeing or fighting. Though if seriously harmed, persistently abused, or persistently annoyed they would fight fiercely.

Biology
Giant turtles had very long lifespans, ranging from thirty to up to a hundred and fifty years.

Combat
These creatures fought by using their giant jaws.

Species

 * Archelon ischyras: An ancient, prehistoric species of giant turtle that in some places persisted well beyond the Days of Thunder.
 * Giant snapping turtle: A monstrous variety of snapping turtle. They were commonly found in large lakes or rivers. Though there also existed a subspecies unique to Zakhara, that was adapted to living on land in the High Desert.
 * Zaratan: A gargantuan species of giant turtle that were often mistaken for islands. They primarily inhabited the seas around Zakhara.

Reputation
Small boats were often capsized due to giant turtles surfacing from underneath them.

Diet
Giant turtles were an omnivorous species and would eat whatever they could find in their habitat. This included fish, small mammals, insects like worms, and fresh green vegetation. They had a distaste for carrion and rotting vegetation, but would resort to consuming them if starving.

Habitats
Giant turtles could be found in a variety of oceans and seas. On Toril they were particularly found in the waters around the Moonshae Isles, Halruaa, the Sarradra river in Neth Stand, as well as the rivers and coasts of Phlan.

Beyond Faerûn, giant sea turtles could be found around the island chain of Nada al-Hazan in the Crowded Sea.

Beyond Toril, these creatures could be found on the planet of Oerth.

Usage
The meat of these creatures was considered a delicacy by many cultures, being very palatable and highly nourishing. With those that dwelled in tropical regions being the most delicious.

Some were known to transform the harvested carapaces of giant turtles into small huts, strong roofs, or even boats. Those that dwelled in tropical regions were said to have the most attractive of shells. The people of Halruua were known to fashion the shells of giant turtles into polished, protective plates for the hulls of their skyships.

Rumors & Legends
Some claimed that there existed a species of giant turtle similar to the giant snapping turtle, but adapted to arid desert regions.

Trivia

 * The Bone Throne within the Dungeon Level of Undermountain was partially made from the plaston (under carapace) of a giant turtle.
 * Those who specialized in sea-based magic could summon a giant sea turtle with the spell monster summoning VIII.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Ruins of Adventure
 * Novels
 * The Magehound
 * The Magehound