Pre-Dinosaurs Prehistoric Animals

Dinosaurs wandered the Earth for millions of years, searching for food and defending their territories. They roamed the world from 252- to 66-million years ago. But what about before the dinosaurs? It turns out that Earth’s creatures were highly diverse, as well as enormous. Let’s take a look at 9 massive prehistoric animals that lived before dinosaurs.

Scutosaurus

This “shield lizard” arose around 298 million years ago. It was among the largest reptiles at the time. It features a 20-inch spiked skull and an armor-plated body that could grow over 10 feet. It was hulking and intimidating, but research suggests it was a slow, heavy-footed herbivore that walked for miles through its desert habitat looking vegetation. It was vulnerable to predators, like the Gorgonopsids.

Gorgonopsids

Named after the Greek Gorgon, this group of saber-toothed mammals had narrow skulls and elongated teeth, which they used to slash and stab. They were vicious hunters. They would take chunks out of their target and retreat until it was so weak, they couldn’t avoid the final, killing bite. Gorgonopsids may have begun relatively small but evolved to bear sized. They became apex predators in area of Tanzania, Zambia, and Malawi.

Pterygotus

This sea scorpion was an enormous predatory aquatic arthropod. It reached almost 6 feet and lived on Earth’s oceans, hunting other creatures, such as fish. I had no stinger, but had behemoth claws and would wait in ambush for its prey, when it would grab and puncture them with its pincers. The first Pterygotus fossils were found in early Devonian deposits in Scotland and Western England. Some of its features are recognizable in modern sea creatures, but sea scorpions no longer exist.

Dimetrodon Angelensis

Although this creature look reptilian, it’s not related to dinosaurs. It’s more closely related to mammals, though it’s not a mammal. It belongs to a group of advanced carnivores. Its most prominent feature is a sizeable spine sail, supported by spines extending from its vertebrate. I walked on 4 legs, had a curved skull, and large teeth. Its fossils have been found in southwestern US, in Oklahoma and Texas.

Jaekelopterus

This was another giant scorpion living during the Devonian Period 390 million years ago. It was the biggest arthropod ever, growing over eight feet long. This scorpion developed in freshwater systems like rivers, where it was an apex predator. Research suggests it chased its prey in lagoons and estuaries with much maneuverability and agility.

Arthropleura

Gigantic millipede arthropods roamed the forests of North America and Europe 345 million years ago. They were the largest land invertebrates ever and wouldn’t have had many predators. They grew over 7 feet and could stand upright and spray acid at any threat. These millipedes were some of the first plant-eaters. Their powerful jaws were used to break down tough vegetative matter.

Meganeura

This was the largest flying insect and resembled a modern dragonfly. It inhabited the forests alongside the Arthropleura and mainly consumed other insects. Its wingspan reached 25.6 inches. Its larvae was at least 12 inches long. It spent much of its time in the air, looking for food. Scientists first discovered it fossil in France in 1880.

Titanichthys

This was a giant armored fish from the late Devonian Period. It lived I shallow seas. Scientists believe it was the first large vertebrate filter feeder, using its mouth to inhale small fish. It could reach a length of 16 feet, had a huge mouth, and blunt teeth.

Aegirocassis

This creature lived 480 million years ago. It was the largest animal to exist at the time and the earliest giant filter feeder. This arthropod most closely resembled a prawn. It reached 7 feet long and had swimming flaps and a filtering mesh that helped guide food into its mouth. It lived in a shallow sea that covered what is today the Sahara Desert.

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/9-massive-prehistoric-animals-that-lived-before-dinosaurs/ar-BB1pX9NZ?ocid=mailsignout&pc=U591&cvid=4b29427ca0eb40e9a777238542e8cbdc&ei=39