Titanophoneus

Name:

Titanophoneus (Greek for "titanic murderer"); pronounced tie-TAN-oh-PHONE-ee-us

Habitat:

Central Asia

Historical Period:

Late Permian (255-250 million years ago)

Size and Weight:

About 8 feet long; weight unknown

Diet:

Meat

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Long tail and head; short, sprawling legs

About Titanophoneus:

As pre-dinosaur reptiles go, Titanophoneus has been a bit oversold. True, this "titanic murderer" was probably dangerous to other therapsids (the "mammal-like reptiles" that preceded the dinosaurs) of the late Permian, but it looks positively harmless compared to the bigger predators of the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.

Probably the most advanced feature of Titanophoneus was its teeth: two dagger-like canines in front, accompanied by sharp incisors and flat molars in back for grinding up flesh.