Peltobatrachus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peltobatrachus |
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| Peltobatrachus pustulatus | |
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Stereospondyli
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Peltobatrachidae
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Peltobatrachus
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Peltobatrachus was an ancient amphibian that lived a very long time ago, during the late Permian period. Its name means "shield frog" in Greek, which is a great clue about what made this creature special! Fossils of Peltobatrachus have been found in Tanzania, a country in Africa.
Meet Peltobatrachus
Peltobatrachus was a large animal for an amphibian, growing up to about 70 centimeters (2.3 feet) long. That's almost as long as a big dog! Unlike many amphibians today, Peltobatrachus spent most of its life on land. It was a terrestrial amphibian, meaning it lived on dry land and only went back to the water to lay its eggs.
Armored Protection
One of the most amazing things about Peltobatrachus was its special armor. To protect itself from big predators, like the fierce gorgonopsids that lived at the same time, it had a tough, armored plating covering its whole body and tail. This armor was a bit like what an armadillo has today. It had wide plates on its shoulders and hips, and narrower plates covering the rest of its body. This made it very hard for other animals to hurt it.
What Did It Eat?
Scientists haven't found any teeth from Peltobatrachus, but they think it probably ate small creatures. It likely fed on insects, worms, and snails. Imagine it slowly moving along, looking for its next meal!
