Witness the ancestor of mammals with a huge sail on his back

Dimetrodon is often mistaken for a dinosaur, but it actually appeared tens of millions of years before dinosaurs, with a distinctive feature being the sail on its back.

Not a dinosaur. Dimetrodon belongs to the group Synapsida – a distant ancestor of mammals, not dinosaurs. Photo: Pinterest.

Lived 295 million years ago. Dimetrodon appeared in the Permian period, about 40 million years before the dinosaurs. Photo: Pinterest.

Impressive size. An adult Dimetrodon could grow up to 3–4.5 meters long. Photo: Pinterest.

Distinctive sail. The sail on Dimetrodon's back helps regulate body temperature by absorbing or dissipating heat. Photo: Pinterest.

The apex predator. Dimetrodon was a carnivore at the top of the food chain, preying on small reptiles and fish. Photo: Pinterest.

Distinctive teeth. The name “Dimetrodon” means “two-shaped tooth,” reflecting the uneven teeth – a characteristic of mammals. Photo: Pinterest.

Discovered in North America and Europe. Dimetrodon fossils are found mainly in Texas and Germany. Photo: Pinterest.

Evolutionary icon. Dimetrodon was an important link in the evolution from reptile to mammal. Photo: Pinterest.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/tan-muc-to-tien-cua-cac-loai-dong-vat-co-vu-lung-deo-canh-buom-khung-post2149065075.html