Meiolania's name, which means "small roamer", likely came from the fact that it was originally thought to be a lizard. This deduction was due to the description of the fossil skull.

Meiolania is the largest known land turtle, with the biggest specimens estimated to be up to 250 centimeters long.

Meiolania had both a spiked head and spiked tail, which may have been used as a defense against predators.

Turtles are classed in two groups: one folds their necks under their spines, the other folds their necks to their sides. However, due to the spikes on its skull, the Meiolania can't do either, making it a bit of a turtle enigma.