Grapevine

By News 24
Jul 26, 2024

Namibia fossil is a prehistoric 'swamp thing' with menacing fangs

You might call it the "swamp thing." About 280 million years ago, a large creature built somewhat like a salamander but with frightful fangs prowled the swamps and lakes of what is now Namibia, ambushing prey as a top predator in a chilly ecosystem long before the dinosaurs.

The creature, named Gaiasia jennyae, lived during the Permian Period and measured at least 2.5 meters long - and perhaps up to 4 meters, according to researchers who announced the discovery of its fossilized remains.

Meet Gaiasia jennyae: a giant, fang-toothed amphibian that lived 40M years before dinosaurs! ???? This discovery reshapes our view of stem tetrapods. #Evolution #FossilFinds https://t.co/LJUjXeqtul — Discover Magazine (@DiscoverMag) July 3, 2024

Its large, round, flat skull measured more than 60 cm long, and it had interlocking fangs at the front of its mouth.