Mastodonsaurus - an early amphibian
- Future
- Poor. Got extinct in the late Triassic.
- Favoritefood
- Amphibians
- Favorite place
- Lakes and rivers
- Founding place
- Gaildorf, Germany
Mastodonsaurus
Cast of a Mastodonsaurus tusk. It shows that this amphibian was one of the largest predators of its time.
- Future
- Poor. Got extinct in the late Triassic.
- Favoritefood
- Amphibians
- Favorite place
- Lakes and rivers
- Founding place
- Kupferzell, Germany
Mastodonsaurus
Cast of Mastodonsaurus skull, showing the large oval eye sockets. On the tip of the nose bone are two openings for the large canine teeth. (Not visible on the cast.)
The marked lines on the head show that the sensory organs of Mastodonsaurus were aligned in rows along the head. It indicates that it was an aquatic animal that seldom left the water.
- Future
- Poor. Got extinct in the late Triassic.
- Favoritefood
- Amphibians
- Favorite place
- Lakes and rivers
- Founding place
- Crailsheim, Germany
Mastodonsaurus
This is part of a skull of the early amphibian Mastodonsaurus. The ornamented surface is characteristic. You might also take a look at the skeleton of Eryops in the Permian section.
- Future
- Poor. Got extinct in the late Triassic.
- Favoritefood
- Amphibians
- Favorite place
- Lakes and rivers
- Founding place
- Crailsheim, Germany
Mastodonsaurus
This fossil shows part of the amphibian’s breastbone, which is similar to a human collar bone. It functioned both as protection and as an attachment for muscles.
The surface ornamentation is characteristic of early amphibians like Mastodonsaurus. You might also take a look at the skeleton of Eryops in the Permian section.
Fossils and Evolution
This is part of the exhibition Fossils and Evolution at the Museum of Natural History in Stockholm.
