Deltasaurus kimberleyensis facts for kids

Deltasaurus kimberleyensis was an ancient amphibian that lived a very long time ago, during the Triassic period. It belonged to a group called temnospondyls, which were early amphibians. Scientists found its fossilized bones in 1965 in a place called the Blina Shale formation, located in the Kimberley region of northwest Australia.

Discovering Deltasaurus

Scientists first described Deltasaurus kimberleyensis in 1964. The scientist J. W. Cosgriff named this creature and also described another similar species called Deltasaurus pustulatus. Both were found in the Blina Shale formation in the Kimberley region of northwest Australia.

The first fossil found, called the holotype, was part of a skull. Other fossil pieces, called paratypes, included more skull fragments, a collarbone, and jaw bones. These helped scientists learn more about this amazing ancient animal.

What Deltasaurus Looked Like

Deltasaurus kimberleyensis was a common type of Deltasaurus. It was smaller than its cousin, Deltasaurus pustulatus, which has only been found in Southwest Australia.

This amphibian grew to be about one meter (about 3 feet) long. Its skull was around 90 millimeters (about 3.5 inches) long. It was a moderately small predator, meaning it hunted and ate other smaller animals, probably fish.

Like other temnospondyls, Deltasaurus kimberleyensis had four limbs and a tail. It also had many tiny teeth, which were perfect for catching slippery fish. These early amphibians lived near the shores of ancient lakes and rivers.

Where Deltasaurus Lived

Fossils of Deltasaurus kimberleyensis are often found with another small temnospondyl called Chomatobatrachus halei. Both are common in the Blina Shale formation, which is located at the eastern end of the Erskine Range in the Kimberley region of Northwest Australia.

Scientists have also found Deltasaurus kimberleyensis fossils in other places. These include the Knocklofty Sandstone and Cluan Formation in Tasmania, an island off the coast of Eastern Australia. This shows that these amphibians lived in different parts of ancient Australia.