Teinolophos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids TeinolophosTemporal range: Lower Cretaceous
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Teinolophos
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| Teinolophos trusleri Rich et al., 1999
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Teinolophos trusleri was an ancient animal that lived a very long time ago. It was a type of monotreme, which means it was a mammal that laid eggs, just like the platypus and echidna we see today. Scientists know about Teinolophos from a single lower jawbone. This jawbone was found in a place called Flat Rocks, in Victoria, Australia. Teinolophos lived during a period called the Lower Cretaceous, which was about 123 million years ago.
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Discovering Teinolophos
The only fossil evidence for Teinolophos trusleri is a lower jawbone. This important fossil was found in Australia. It helps scientists understand what early mammals were like. Finding such old fossils tells us a lot about life on Earth millions of years ago.
Where it Lived
The jawbone of Teinolophos was discovered in Flat Rocks. This area is in the state of Victoria, Australia. Australia is known for its unique animals, and it was also home to many interesting creatures in the past. The discovery site gives clues about the environment Teinolophos lived in.
When it Lived
Teinolophos lived during the Lower Cretaceous period. This was a very long time ago, around 123 million years in the past. To give you an idea, this was when dinosaurs were still walking the Earth! Studying fossils from this time helps us learn about the ancient world.
What is a Monotreme?
Teinolophos was a monotreme. Monotremes are a special group of mammals. Unlike most mammals, which give birth to live young, monotremes lay eggs. After the eggs hatch, the babies drink milk from their mother, just like other mammals.
Modern Monotremes
Today, there are only a few types of monotremes left. These include the platypus and the echidna. Both of these amazing animals live in Australia and New Guinea. They are living examples of how mammals used to reproduce millions of years ago.
Why Teinolophos is Important
Finding Teinolophos helps scientists learn about the history of mammals. It shows that egg-laying mammals were around very early in mammal evolution. This fossil helps us understand how mammals changed over millions of years. It gives us a peek into the ancient past of our planet.
