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This species (Allopleuron hofmanni) was first described in 1831. It was named after Jean Lambert Hoffmann, who in the mid-eighteenth century already possessed an important collection of fossils, amongst which were also turtle remains. While few specimens of other turtle species have to date been discovered, hundreds of remains of Hoffmann’s turtle hundreds of remains have been found, amongst which a number of almost complete skeletons. One of the most beautiful and largest specimens ever found may be seen in the permanent exhibition of the Natural History Museum Maastricht. But such specimens are rare: most finds consist of isolated carapace elements, mostly marginal plates. Since Hoffmann's giant turtle is the only species of which a larger number of specimens have been found, its mode of life is sufficiently well known. It is currently assigned, just as the extant turtles Chelonia mydas and Caretta caretta to the family Cheloniidae.