CollectA 88816 Deluxe (1:20) - Estemmenosuchus with movable jaw

17.5 x 10.5 cm

Estemmenosuchus, which is a prehistoric creature that existed during the Permian period, approximately 260 to 252 million years ago. Estemmenosuchus is classified as a therapsid, a group of reptiles that includes some of the earliest ancestors of mammals.
Estemmenosuchus was a large creature, reaching lengths of about 3 meters (10 feet). It had a robust body and a broad, thick skull. The skull was adorned with bony protrusions and tusks, making it an impressive and visually distinctive animal.
Estemmenosuchus was likely an herbivore, feeding on plants and vegetation. Its strong jaws and specialized teeth suggest adaptations for grinding plant material.
Fossils of Estemmenosuchus have been found in what is now Russia, indicating that it inhabited the ancient supercontinent of Pangaea. It likely lived in terrestrial environments such as floodplains and forested areas.
As a therapsid, Estemmenosuchus exhibited characteristics that are considered transitional between reptiles and mammals. These features include modifications to the jaw joint and teeth structure, suggesting a more advanced form of chewing and food processing.
Extinction: Like many other prehistoric species, Estemmenosuchus went extinct at the end of the Permian period during the mass extinction event known as the Permian-Triassic extinction. This event was one of the most significant in Earth's history and resulted in the loss of an estimated 90% of all marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrate species.