View original imageThis is an original generative reconstruction, not a photograph or scientific plate.
267 / Mesozoic
Cynognathus
Cynognathus crateronotus
A dog-like snout, slicing cheek teeth and upright hind limbs made it a major cynodont predator.
- Time range
- About 247–237 million years ago
- Final stage
- Middle Triassic
- Geographic range
- River valleys and open woodland · Southern Gondwana
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Cynognathus?
Cynognathus (Cynognathus crateronotus) was an extinct organism known from About 247–237 million years ago, with a range in River valleys and open woodland · Southern Gondwana.
Life and ecology
Cynognathus used powerful jaws to hunt dicynodonts and small reptiles. Its secondary palate allowed breathing while processing food.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Cynognathus disappear?
Archosaur expansion and Middle Triassic faunal turnover reduced the niche for large carnivorous cynodonts.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Cynognathus?
Gondwanan skulls and skeletons preserve differentiated teeth, palate and increasingly upright limbs.
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