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> Eryops

Eryops

author: Walter B. Myers/Novapix

reference: t-glb91-03201

Image Size 300 DPI: 34 * 19 cm

Resembling modern crocodiles, two giant prehistoric amphibians from the genus Eryops dominate a Carboniferous swamp 300 million years ago in what is today North America. At six feet long and 200 pounds, Eryops was one of the largest predators of its time. It probably spent most of its time in the water, and like modern crocodiles probably fed on fish and other swimming vertebrates. Also in this image, on the lower right is a snake-like, legless amphibian from the genus Ophiderpeton. Flying overhead and resembling a giant dragonfly is a prehistoric insect from the genus Meganeura. The tree-like plants making up the surrounding forest include Sigillaria scutellata and Lepidodendron aculeatum. The low ground cover includes various primitive ferns and mosses.

Keywords for this photo:

2011 - ANIMAL - CARBONIFEROUS - DEVONIAN - EARTH - ERYOPS - FAUNA - FLORA - HISTORY OF EARTH - ILLUSTRATION - INSECT - MEGANEURA - PALEOZOIC - PLANT - SWAMP - TREE - WATER -