The ferocious looking therapsids were considered the first proto-mammals on Earth and are among our very earliest ancestors. These animals lived about 300 million years ago during the Permian and Triassic periods.
10 Fascinating Facts about Therapsids
Therapsids are weirdly amazing! They are considered to be the evolutionary link between reptiles and mammals and indeed, are often referred to as "mammal-like reptiles.” Therapsids are in our family tree as they are the evolutionary ancestors of modern mammals!
Therapsids walked upright. Their legs were positioned more vertically beneath their bodies. Scientists believe this adaptation contributed to their success during the Permian period.
Therapsids were feared. They were the dominant large land animal and apex predator of their time.
Gorgonopsids were the biggest therapsids that ever lived. The genus Inostrancevia, grew to about 11 ft (3.5 m) long and weighed 660 lb (300 kg). Their skulls alone measured a frightening 16–24 in (40–60 cm) long
Those big skulls were an evolutionary advance. Their large temporal fenestrae (holes behind the eyes) gave rise to stronger jaw muscles which resulted in greater chewing efficiency.
Their snouts were hybrids. Most therapsids had mammal-like incisors, large stabbing canines, and grinding cheek teeth, but their lower jaws were reptilian in structure.
No cold-blooded killers, therapsids may in fact have been warm-blooded. Warm-blooded animals could maintain higher activity levels and thrive in more diverse environments.
Therapsids ate their veggies. Some species of therapsids like dicynodonts were plant eating herbivores of the Late Permian, while others were carnivores.
Many therapsids disappeared during the Great Dying of the Permian Triassic Extinction Event, but a therapsid lineage called cynodonts survived. Their descendants gave rise to all mammals, which ultimately evolved into humans.
Therapsid fossils are especially prevalent in the Great Karoo of South Africa, but have been found on every continent except Australia.
You can contribute to science and join a dig for therapsids in the Great Karoo of South Africa!
