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269 / Mesozoic
Desmatosuchus
Desmatosuchus spurensis
Two huge backward-curving shoulder spikes reinforced rows of protective armor.
- Time range
- About 230–210 million years ago
- Final stage
- Late Triassic
- Geographic range
- Semi-arid floodplains · North America
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Desmatosuchus?
Desmatosuchus (Desmatosuchus spurensis) was an extinct organism known from About 230–210 million years ago, with a range in Semi-arid floodplains · North America.
Life and ecology
Desmatosuchus was a herbivorous aetosaur that rooted for plants with an upturned snout while an upright stance supported its broad body.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Desmatosuchus disappear?
The end-Triassic crisis eliminated aetosaurs and opened their ground-feeding niches to dinosaurs.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Desmatosuchus?
Armor, shoulder spikes, skulls and skeletons reveal its defenses and feeding 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?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS