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378 / Cenozoic
Andrias scheuchzeri
Andrias scheuchzeri
Its skeleton was once mistaken for a human killed in the biblical flood.
- Time range
- About 17–5 million years ago
- Final stage
- End of the Miocene
- Geographic range
- Forested lakes and rivers · Europe
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Andrias scheuchzeri?
Andrias scheuchzeri (Andrias scheuchzeri) was an extinct organism known from About 17–5 million years ago, with a range in Forested lakes and rivers · Europe.
Life and ecology
This giant salamander waited on cool river and lake bottoms for fish and crustaceans.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Andrias scheuchzeri disappear?
Late Miocene cooling and European drainage reorganization ended the species.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Andrias scheuchzeri?
Multiple compressed skeletons preserve the skull, trunk and limbs and document changing scientific interpretation.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS