Dimetrodon

Type Species: Dimetrodon limbatus

Pronunciation: Dime-et-troo-don

Geological Layer: Permian

Baramin: Sphenacodontid?

Habitat: Vast wetlands

Era: Pre-Fall-Post-Flood, 6,000-(extinction date is unknown)

Pre-Fall Diet: Plants

Post-Fall Diet: Carnivore

Length: 5.6-15 ft.

Height: N/A

Weight: 62-550 lb

Description:

 Dimetrodon was a large, predatory reptile that had walked on four legs that sprawled out to the sides and had a large sail across its back. It had strong jaws loaded with sharp teeth and a long tail. Being an apex predator, Dimetrodon probably also had superb senses of smell, sight and hearing.

 

History:

Edward Drinker Cope, an American paleontologist, was the first person to study the fossils of Dimetrodon in the 1870's. It's name was coined in 1877.

Taxonomy:

Not much is known about what baramin Dimetrodon was in, but since it is the “family” level in modern animals, it can be assumed that the same was true with Dimetrodon, meaning it was in the baramin sphenacodontid, which contained other reptiles, many of which sprouted sails as well.

Paleobiology:

Dimetrodon was the top predator of its environment. Found in both Europe and North America, it had specially designed teeth that are crucial for a predator of any kind. The most obvious feature of Dimetrodon is its tall sail. Paleontologists are still unsure as to what the sail was used for, but the most likely use is that it was used for display purposes and might have even been able to change colors. Scientists also believe the species to exhibit sexual dimorphism, meaning the males and females differed in appearance – but both genders had sails. Perhaps the sails would also be useful in the mating season, when a male Dimetrodon could use its presumably colorful sail to attract mates. One reptile Dimetrodon is thought to hunt is an herbivorous relative called Edaphosaurus.

Extinction:

Being a land animal, a male and female pair of Dimetrodon (or one of Dimetrodon's relations) went aboard Noah's Ark 4,350 years ago before Noah's Flood wiped the earth clean of every air-breathing terrestrial creature and all the humans except Noah and his family. After the Flood, Dimetrodon went extinct either due to environmental stress and/or human interference (e.g. hunting and/or habitat disturbance).

Popular Culture:

This reptile has been present in popular culture ever since its discovery. One of its earliest appearances is in the 1940 movie Fantasia where it made a cameo. A mother Dimetrodon was also featured in the 2005 BBC documentary series Walking with Monsters in which she struggled to guard her eggs from predators until they hatched. The ferocious predator was also seen successfully killing a juvenile Edaphosaurus.

Image Gallery:

This Dimetrodon is making a meal of a smaller reptile.

Dimetrodon in the sunset.

The skeleton of a Dimetrodon.