10 Facts about Dimetrodon

Facts about Dimetrodon will talk about the extinct genus synapsid. The experts estimated that the animals lived 295-272 million years ago during the Early Permian period. This genus is included as a part of family Sphenacodontidae. The large sail comprising the elongated spines located at the back part is considered as the most notable feature which distinguishes Dimetrodon with others. You can spot the large teeth located along the jaws. This creature also had curved skull and four legs. Here are other interesting facts about Dimetrodon to notice:

Facts about Dimetrodon 1: the fossils of Dimetrodon

The southwestern United States is considered as the primary location to find the fossils of Dimetrodon. The Red Beds in Texas and Oklahoma served as the geological deposit which features the major fossils.

Facts about Dimetrodon 2: the recent discovery of Dimetrodon fossils

Germany is considered as the recent place for discovering Dimetrodon fossils.

Dimetrodon Painting

Facts about Dimetrodon 3: the first description of Dimetrodon

In 1878, the genus was described for the first time. Till this present, there are more than a dozen species of Dimetrodon which have been named.

Facts about Dimetrodon 4: is it a dinosaur?

Dimetrodon is not a dinosaur even though many people mislabel it as a contemporary dinosaur or a dinosaur in the popular culture. The fact is that before the first appearance of dinosaur, Dimetrodon had been extinct 40 million years before.

Facts about Dimetrodon

Facts about Dimetrodon 5: the relationships with other animals

Dimetrodon has closer relationship to mammals than to modern reptiles despite the resemblance of reptile physiology and appearance. However, Dimetrodon is not directly descended from mammals.

Facts about Dimetrodon 6: the group

Due to the resemblance of reptile and closer relationship with mammals, Dimetrodon is included in a group called mammal-like reptile for the traditional term. Today, the group is called the non-mammalian synapsids or stem-mammals.

Dimetrodon

Facts about Dimetrodon 7: predators

During the Early Permian ecosystems, Dimetrodon was probably one of the most prominent predators. They ate amphibians, reptiles and fish. Look at facts about different insects here.

Facts about Dimetrodon 8: the sail

The presence of the sail on Dimetrodon was for thermoregulation to heat and cool the body as well as for spine stabilization.

Dimetrodon Pic

Facts about Dimetrodon 9: sexual display

But some experts believe that the sail was used for sexual display not thermoregulation.

Facts about Dimetrodon 10: the body size

On average, Dimetrodon had the length at 5.6 to 15.1 feet or 1.7 to 4.6 m. Check facts about dilophosaurus here.

Dimetrodon Pictures

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