Non-Dinosaur Reptiles
The primitive reptiles--including archosaurs, cynodonts, dicynodonts, synapsids, crocodilians and therapsids--that preceded or were contemporaneous with dinosaurs.
Anteosaurus
This huge, crocodile-like reptile preceded the dinosaurs.
This huge, crocodile-like reptile preceded the dinosaurs.
Bernissartia
One of the smallest of all the Cretaceous crocodiles.
One of the smallest of all the Cretaceous crocodiles.
Biarmosuchus
One of the most primitive of the "mammal-like reptiles."
One of the most primitive of the "mammal-like reptiles."
Casea
This bland-looking pelycosaur's name is Greek for "cheese."
This bland-looking pelycosaur's name is Greek for "cheese."
Chasmatosaurus
One of the first archosaurs ever to be identified.
One of the first archosaurs ever to be identified.
Chimaerasuchus
The first vegetarian crocodile ever to be discovered.
The first vegetarian crocodile ever to be discovered.
Cynognathus
The most mammal-like of all ancient reptiles.
The most mammal-like of all ancient reptiles.
Deinosuchus
One of the biggest crocodiles of the Cretaceous period.
One of the biggest crocodiles of the Cretaceous period.
Desmatosuchus
A crocodile-like archosaur with a fish-like head.
A crocodile-like archosaur with a fish-like head.
Dimetrodon
This ancient synapsid had a giant sail on its back.
This ancient synapsid had a giant sail on its back.
Doswellia
This may (or may not) have been one of the earliest crocodiles.
This may (or may not) have been one of the earliest crocodiles.
Edaphosaurus
This early land reptile was a cousin of Dimetrodon.
This early land reptile was a cousin of Dimetrodon.
Erpetosuchus
This tiny reptile may have been the ancestor of all crocodiles.
This tiny reptile may have been the ancestor of all crocodiles.
Euparkeria
A tiny, fast, and voracious precursor to the true dinoaurs.
A tiny, fast, and voracious precursor to the true dinoaurs.
Geosaurus
This aquatic reptile may have spent its entire life in the sea.
This aquatic reptile may have spent its entire life in the sea.
Gorgonops
This "gorgon-faced" reptile preyed on its fellow therapsids.
This "gorgon-faced" reptile preyed on its fellow therapsids.
Gracilisuchus
One of the most dinosaur-like of all the Triassic crocodiles.
One of the most dinosaur-like of all the Triassic crocodiles.
Hylonomus
Could this have been the first reptile?
Could this have been the first reptile?
Lagosuchus
Could this have been the ancestor of all the dinosaurs?
Could this have been the ancestor of all the dinosaurs?
Lystrosaurus
This pig-like reptile preceded the dinosaurs.
This pig-like reptile preceded the dinosaurs.
Metriorhynchus
One of the most common crocodiles of the Jurassic period.
One of the most common crocodiles of the Jurassic period.
Moschops
One of the largest therapsids before the rise of the dinosaurs.
One of the largest therapsids before the rise of the dinosaurs.
Mystriosuchus
This Triassic archosaur looked a lot like a modern gharial.
This Triassic archosaur looked a lot like a modern gharial.
Placerias
Not a dinosaur, but a mammal-like reptile of the late Triassic.
Not a dinosaur, but a mammal-like reptile of the late Triassic.
Protosuchus
This land crocodile competed for prey with early dinosaurs.
This land crocodile competed for prey with early dinosaurs.
Rutiodon
This crocodilian's nostrils were located on top of its head.
This crocodilian's nostrils were located on top of its head.
Sarcosuchus
A Cretaceous "SuperCroc" that put modern crocodiles to shame.
A Cretaceous "SuperCroc" that put modern crocodiles to shame.
Scutosaurus
This large, armored reptile lived long before the dinosaurs.
This large, armored reptile lived long before the dinosaurs.
Simosuchus
This ancient crocodile had an unusually short skull.
This ancient crocodile had an unusually short skull.
Sinokannemeyeria
This primitive reptile was as clumsy as its name.
This primitive reptile was as clumsy as its name.
Stagonolepis
This crocodile-like archosaur was actually a vegetarian.
This crocodile-like archosaur was actually a vegetarian.
Stomatosuchus
This giant crocodile fed on tiny plankton, like a sperm whale.
This giant crocodile fed on tiny plankton, like a sperm whale.
Thrinaxodon
This cynodont had much in common with modern cats.
This cynodont had much in common with modern cats.
Titanophoneus
Its name means "titanic murderer," which may be an overstatement.
Its name means "titanic murderer," which may be an overstatement.
Tritylodon
Could this have been the reptile from which all mammals evolved?
Could this have been the reptile from which all mammals evolved?