| Dimetrodon |
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| Dimetrodon Dimetrodon is often mistakenly called a dinosaur but is actually a pelycosaur. Pelycosaurs are considered to be an ancestor of mammals. Dimetrodon also had two types of teeth (for which it is named), canines and shearing teeth. The sail on its back is believed to be a thermal regulator-to absorb and release heat- but may also have been used as a mating/dominance display, and/or as a trick for making it appear larger than it was to frighten would-be predators. Pronunciation; die-MET-tro-don Classification; Class- Synapsida (includes mammals) Order- Pelycosauria Family- Sphenacodontidae (sail-finned pelycosaurs) Genus- Dimetrodon Species include: giganhomogenes, milleri, limbatus, angelensis, grandis Size; Length- up to 4 meters (12 feet) Height- up to 1 meter (3 feet) at the hips Weight- up to 250 kg (500 pounds) Diet; Carnivore Location; Fossils have been found in Oklahoma and Texas in the USA, track ways have been found in Nova Scotia (Canada). Time; Permian 280-245 million years ago |
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