Parotosuchus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ParotosuchusTemporal range: Early Triassic
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Skull impression of P. nasutus in the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Order: | †Temnospondyli |
| Suborder: | †Stereospondyli |
| Clade: | †Capitosauria |
| Family: | †Mastodonsauridae |
| Genus: | †Parotosuchus Otschev and Shishkin, 1968 |
| Species | |
|
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
Parotosuchus was an amazing ancient amphibian that lived a very long time ago, during the Early Triassic period. This means it lived around 250 million years ago! It was a type of temnospondyl, which were like early amphibians. Parotosuchus could grow up to 2 meters (about 6.5 feet) long, which is bigger than most people!
Fossils of Parotosuchus have been found in many different parts of the world. These include Europe, Africa, Australia, and even Antarctica. This shows that these creatures were spread out across the ancient Earth.
Parotosuchus probably spent most of its life in water. It lived in places like lakes and rivers. Unlike modern amphibians, which have smooth skin, Parotosuchus was covered in scales. It likely moved through the water by wiggling its body like an eel.
How Parotosuchus Got Its Name
The name Parotosuchus has an interesting story. When this animal was first discovered, it was called Parotosaurus. But later, scientists found out that the name Parotosaurus was already being used for a type of skink (a kind of lizard).
Because of this, a new name was needed. In 1968, scientists suggested the name Parotosuchus. A few years later, in 1976, another scientist suggested the name Archotosaurus. However, this scientist didn't know that Parotosuchus had already been chosen. Since Parotosuchus was named first, it is the official name for this ancient amphibian.
See also
In Spanish: Parotosuchus para niños
