Explore this animal in Size of Extinct Animals ↗
264 / Paleozoic
Anteosaurus
Anteosaurus magnificus
A huge skull combined thickened impact surfaces with long canines in a formidable predator.
View original image · 1536 × 1024- Time range
- About 266–260 million years ago
- Final stage
- Middle Permian
- Geographic range
- Seasonal river valleys · South Africa
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Anteosaurus?
Anteosaurus (Anteosaurus magnificus) was an extinct organism known from About 266–260 million years ago, with a range in Seasonal river valleys · South Africa.
Life and ecology
Anteosaurus had a massive body, powerful neck and semi-sprawling limbs, probably ambushing large herbivores and perhaps using head-to-head combat.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Anteosaurus disappear?
Dinocephalians disappeared in the end-Capitanian crisis; the youngest record of Anteosaurus places it close to that event, but its specific cause is not established.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Anteosaurus?
Large skulls, teeth and limb bones document thickened cranial roofs and predatory anatomy.
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?
- Rewrote an extinction cause that presented environmental or faunal turnover as established; it is now given as context the record does not prove.
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS