Paracyclotosaurus
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| i"Paracyclotosaurus" |
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 Paracyclotosaurus model
National Dinosaur Museum, Canberra |
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Extinct (fossil)
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Paracyclotosaurus was a giant temnospondyl amphibian with a flat body, similar to today's salamander - but very much larger. Although it could live on dry land, Paracyclotosaurus probably spent most of its time in water. A fish-eater, it might have played a waiting game, lying just below the surface of the water. When an unsuspecting fish came within reach of its jaws, Paracyclotosaurus lifted its massive head, its mouth opened wide and the fish was sucked inside. Modern predators, such as crocodiles, use this technique to catch some of their prey. Paracyclotosaurus was 6 - 8 feet long, and it lived on the Triassic Period, about 235 million years ago (Middle Triassic). Its fossils were found on Australia, India and South Africa - Gondwana.
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