Adelobasileus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Adelobasileus |
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Adelobasileus
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cromptoni
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Adelobasileus was a very old animal that lived about 225 million years ago. It was a "proto-mammal," which means it was an early creature that had some features of mammals but wasn't quite a full mammal yet. Scientists have only found a small part of its skull in western Texas.
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Discovering an Ancient Relative
Imagine a time long, long ago, even before the biggest dinosaurs roamed the Earth! That's when Adelobasileus lived, around 225 million years ago during the Upper Triassic period. Scientists found only a small piece of its skull in rocks in western Texas. This tiny fossil piece is super important because it tells us a lot about how mammals first started.
What Was a Proto-Mammal?
Adelobasileus is called a "proto-mammal" because it was a step between earlier reptile-like animals called cynodonts and the first true mammals. Think of it like a bridge! It had some features that were still like its ancestors, but also new features that would become common in mammals.
A Clue in the Ear
One of the most important clues about Adelobasileus comes from its ear. The part of the skull that held its inner ear, called the cochlea, looks a lot like the cochlea in early mammals. This special ear structure suggests that Adelobasileus was a transitional form. This means it was an animal that showed changes happening over time, linking older groups to newer ones.
Close to Our Ancestors
Because of these special skull features, many scientists believe Adelobasileus might be very close to the common ancestor of all modern mammals, including humans! It's like finding a very old, distant relative in your family tree. Its body was probably sleek and built for speed, helping it move quickly through its ancient world.
See also
In Spanish: Adelobasileus para niños
