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DIMETRODON FOSSILS FOR SALE
What Is A Dimetrodon?
Dimetrodon is an extinct Genus of synapsid from the Permian Period. There are 20 known species. They are not true reptiles since they have one temporal fenestra (hole) behind each eye socket, whereas reptiles have two. Dimetrodon is more closely related to mammals than reptiles. It was likely the apex predator of the Permian.
When Did Dimetrodon Live?
Dimetrodon lived during the Permian period, first appearing in the fossil record 280 million years ago and going extinct 245 million years ago.
What Did Dimetrodon Look Like?
Dimetrodon was a large sail-backed creature with a crocodile-like body and small head. The sail was created by long spines growing from the vertebrae, covered with skin. There is debate over what the sail was used for: it is most commonly suggested that the sail was used to regulate body temperature, absorbing and radiating heat as needed. The sail may also have been used as a mating display to attract mates. In addition to its sail, Dimetrodon had a small, stout head, a long tubular body, and splayed stance (legs out to the side of its body). Recently, scientists have begun to challenge this lumbering stance. Trackways in New Mexico seem to show that Dimetrodon stood taller with its legs more under its body rather than out to the side like an alligator.
Restoration of various Dimetrodon species to scale. Creative Commons License
We’ve drawn iconic sail-wearing Dimetrodon wrong for 100 years
Is Dimetrodon A Dinosaur?
Despite its inclusion in movies and model kits with dinosaurs, Dimetrodon was not a dinosaur. In fact, Dimetrodon is more closely related to mammals than dinosaurs. Dinosaurs and most reptiles are diapsids (two fenestrae one each side of the head), while Dimetrodon was a synapsid (one fenestra). The other reason Dimetrodon was not a dinosaur is time. Dimetrodon lived almost as long before the dinosaurs (60 million years) as we live after them (65 million years).
Where Are Dimetrodon Fossils Found?
Almost all Dimetrodon fossils have come from the southwestern United States. Most of these come from an area along the Texas Oklahoma border called the Red Beds. All commercially available Dimetrodon fossils still come from this area. In recent decades Dimetrodon has been found around Utah, Arizona, Ohio, and a new species was found in New Mexico. A find in the Thuringian Forest of Germany is the only non-North American Dimetrodon.