Varanosaurus

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Varanosaurus
Fossil range: Early Permian

Conservation status

Extinct (fossil)

Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Synapsida
Order:	Pelycosauria
Family:	Varanopseidae
Genus:	Varanosaurus

Varanosaurus ('monitor lizard') is an extinct genus of early pelycosaur synapsid that was about 1,50 m (5 ft) long.

As its name implies, Varanosaurus looked very similar to present-day monitor lizards. Its slightly elongated jaws had small, pointy teeth. Varanosaurus probably lived in swamps, competing with the larger Ophiacodon for food.