Peltobatrachus
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Extinct (fossil)
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Peltobatrachus is an extinct genus of temnospondyl amphibian from the Permian period. It was about 70 cm (2 ft 4 in) long.
Peltobatrachus was a fully terrestral amphibian, only returning to the water to lay its eggs. To protect itself against predators such as the large gorgonopsid therapsids, it had developed an armadillo-like armored plating covering its body and tail. The armor consisted of broad plates on the shoulders and hips and narrower plates on the rest of the body. Although no teeth of the creature have been found scientists think it fed on insects, worms and snails, which coincidentally also compromise the diet of armadillos.
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