Rutiodon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids RutiodonTemporal range: Late Triassic-Early Jurassic
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Anchisaurus. Rutiodon is in the corner of the image. In another corner is Desmatosuchus. | |
| Conservation status | |
|
Fossil
|
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Suborder: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: |
Rutiodon
|
Rutiodon was a fascinating ancient reptile that looked a lot like a modern-day crocodile. It lived during the Triassic Period, a very long time ago when dinosaurs were just starting to appear. Scientists know about Rutiodon from the fossils they have found.
One interesting thing about Rutiodon was where its nostrils were located. Unlike crocodiles today, which have nostrils at the tip of their snout, Rutiodon's nostrils were far back on its head, very close to its eyes. This special feature suggests that Rutiodon spent most of its time hidden in the water, with only its eyes and nostrils peeking out. This would have made it a very good ambush predator, waiting to surprise its prey.
Contents
Meet the Phytosaurs
Rutiodon belonged to a group of reptiles called Phytosaurs. These animals were not dinosaurs, but they lived at the same time and looked very similar to crocodiles. They were often large predators that lived in rivers and swamps.
Phytosaurs like Rutiodon had long snouts filled with sharp teeth, perfect for catching fish and other animals that came to the water's edge. They were powerful hunters in their ancient watery homes.
Life in the Triassic Period
Rutiodon lived during the Late Triassic and Early Jurassic periods. This was a time when the Earth looked very different from today. There was one giant continent called Pangaea, and the climate was generally warm.
Many different kinds of reptiles lived during this time, including the first dinosaurs. Rutiodon shared its habitat with early dinosaurs and other ancient creatures, making the Triassic a very exciting and dangerous place to live.
Rutiodon in the Movies
Rutiodon even made an appearance in a movie! It was featured in the film When Dinosaurs Roamed America. In the movie, a Rutiodon was shown trying to catch a small dinosaur called Coelophysis.
The scene showed the Rutiodon jumping out of the water to surprise its prey. This gives us an idea of how these powerful predators might have hunted in real life, using the water to hide and then striking suddenly.
Images for kids
-
Fossil of R. carolinensis
-
Restoration of R. carolinensis
-
The holotype of R. manhattanensis on display in the American Museum of Natural History
-
Skeleton of R. carolinensis viewed from the front
See also
In Spanish: Rutiodon para niños
