Explore this animal in Size of Extinct Animals ↗
370 / Mesozoic
Siderops
Siderops kehli
A giant temnospondyl still occupied river ambush niches in the dinosaur era.
View original image · 1600 × 1067- Time range
- About 180 million years ago
- Final stage
- Early Jurassic
- Geographic range
- Forested rivers · Queensland, Australia
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Siderops?
Siderops (Siderops kehli) was an extinct organism known from About 180 million years ago, with a range in Forested rivers · Queensland, Australia.
Life and ecology
Siderops used a broad skull, teeth and strong tail to take fish and small tetrapods.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Siderops disappear?
Jurassic river change and crocodyliform competition may have ended it.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Siderops?
Skull, jaw and postcranial material establish its size; skin and tail fins are comparative.
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