Explore this animal in Size of Extinct Animals ↗
491 / Paleozoic
Sclerocephalus
Sclerocephalus haeuseri
A broad head, strong trunk and compressed tail belonged to a large freshwater predator.
View original image · 1600 × 1067- Time range
- About 299–280 million years ago
- Final stage
- Early Permian
- Geographic range
- Freshwater lakes and rivers · Germany
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Sclerocephalus?
Sclerocephalus (Sclerocephalus haeuseri) was an extinct organism known from About 299–280 million years ago, with a range in Freshwater lakes and rivers · Germany.
Life and ecology
Gill-bearing juveniles and adults occupied different niches while feeding on fish and amphibians.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Sclerocephalus disappear?
The reorganization of Permian fresh waters is possible context; a specific cause is not established.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Sclerocephalus?
Growth series, skin outlines and gut contents document development and diet.
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