The Eryops megacephalus is a prehistoric amphibian that lived around 295 million years ago and was known to be among the largest land animals and most fierce predators of the Carboniferous period of the Early Permian Epoch. The fossils of these amphibians were discovered in Archer County, Texas, under the rocks of the Texas Red Beds. Although several skeletons of this species have been recovered, most of the findings are their skull bones and sharp teeth fossils.The Eryops megacephalus resembled modern-day crocodilians. These Permian species had a large, stout body with broad ribs, a long-ish tail, a flat head, and four short but strong limbs. Observations of the skull of this species prove that it had sharp teeth with a separate set of fang-like teeth placed on the palatal region of their strong jaws. The fossils also suggest these prehistoric amphibians had large eye sockets which were placed upward on their elongated skull along with nostrils atop the snout region of its head.The Eryops megacephalus amphibian is said to have been a carnivore and majorly depended on smaller reptiles, amphibians, and fish. In addition, it is speculated that these land animals were prey to predators such as the Dimetrodon or the OrthacanthusIf you enjoy reading about this, check out the Bactrosaurus and the Epanterias.
Fun Eryops Facts For Kids
What did they prey on? Small fish, amphibians, reptiles, terrestrial invertebrates
What did they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? N/A
How much did they weigh? 400 lb (181 kg)
How long were they? 4.9-9.8 ft (1.5-3.0 m)
How tall were they? N/A
What did they look like? Large, stubby crocodile-like body
Skin Type N/A
What were their main threats? Natural disasters
Where were they found? Semi-aquatic terrestrial habitats
Locations North America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Eryops
Class Amphibian
Family Eryopidae
Scientific Name Eryops megacephalus
How scary were they? 3
How loud were they? 1
How intelligent were they? 2
Eryops Interesting FactsWas the Eryops a dinosaur?No, the Eryops megacephalus was an amphibian and one of the largest animals of the Permian period, which was before the dinosaurs came into existence.How do you pronounce ‘Eryops’?The word ‘Eryops’ is pronounced as ’er-ee-ops’.What type of prehistoric animal was an Eryops?The Eryops was a carnivorous prehistoric amphibian with a stout body, large, flat skull, sharp teeth in strong jaws, and short limbs and tail. The physical appearance of these Permian large animals was sort of similar to a crocodile.In which geological period did the Eryops live?The Eryops is estimated to have lived during the Carboniferous stage of the Early Permian period.When did the Eryops become extinct?The Eryops megacephalus is said to have gone extinct around 295 million years ago.Where did an Eryops live?Since the fossils, mostly skull bones and teeth, were discovered in Archer County, Texas under the rocks of the Texas Red Beds, it is speculated that the Eryops megacephalus inhabited the land and water of Central North America.What was an Eryops’ habitat?These large land animals are speculated to have lived in terrestrial wetland habitats. The Eryops lived in swamps and preferred living near the water because they could find food easily underwater and they would also have had to lay their eggs in highly damp areas because the soft amphibian eggs have no shells and can die from drying out.Who did an Eryops live with?The living pattern or behavior of the E. megacephalus is unknown.How long did an Eryops live?The exact lifespan of the fierce Eryops is unknown. However, several studies conducted on the species from the order of Temnospondyli, suggest that they showed cyclical growth with a lifespan of around 30 years.How did they reproduce?Like most current amphibian species, the E. megacephalus laid soft eggs without shells, usually in very damp regions. These prehistoric amphibians shared similar reproduction traits with other land animals from the order of Temnospondyli. It is suggested that this prehistoric amphibian used external fertilization, which means the female lays masses of unfertilized eggs in the water, and later, the male releases its sperm onto the eggs to fertilize them. The fossils of their eggs have been discovered in Texas, which suggest that these were shell-less with vitelline membranes with a mucous coating. These eggs would be laid such that they were attached to plants. Despite this speculation, researches of other fossils found in Pennsylvania suggest that there is a possibility that some temnospondyls, especially terrestrial, could have mated on land and fertilized their eggs internally. Further findings of the larvae and juvenile specimens have shown that metamorphosis is prominent and the animals go through several physical changes before reaching full maturity. The larval stage had poorly developed skeletons and the embryos have gills that disappear as they grow up. The skull and head develop in spaced pits on top during the earlier stages followed by large ridges as they age. The larval Eryops bone type, especially the skull, limbs, ribs, feet or fingers were poorly developed or absent, but get stronger due to ossification as they grow out of this stage. Once they grow into adult Eryops the small teeth covering the palate are replaced by the strong jaws with sharp teeth along the mouth region and some fang-like, inward-curved sharp teeth form on the palate.Eryops Fun FactsWhat did an Eryops look like?The E. megacephalus was considered the largest land animal of the Permian age with its huge skull, stout body, broad ribs, sharp teeth, and short, strong limbs and tail. Despite the overall crocodilian physical features, proportionately, the Eryops’ skull was broader and flat at 2 ft (60.96 cm) long, accompanied by a huge mouth. The teeth of the Eryops were many and curved like those of frogs and the enamel of the teeth had folded patterns, leading to its categorization as a Labyrinthodont. After analyzing their teeth, it is speculated that they had a strong bite that was resistant to external stresses. The roof of their mouths is lined with pointy bony projections and three pairs of fang-like teeth that are curved backward. These projections are speculated to have helped them swallow slippery prey. They had large and strong, but stubby, limbs and its body is said to have been covered with oval bumps.How many bones did an Eryops have?The exact number of bones of the Eryops fossil is unknown. However, the discovered fossil specimens have somewhat of the entire skeletal remains of the Eryops.How did they communicate?The communication pattern or behavior of the Eryops has not been discovered, although, based on the throat of the fossil it is known that it could make vocal noises.How big was an Eryops?The Eryops size depending on the fossil suggests that this Permian amphibian had a body length of around 4.9 ft (1.5 m) which is similar to the length of a full-grown capybara. However, some fossil remains have led to the estimation that this species could grow up to 9.8 ft (3.0 m) in body length, the same as a mature female saltwater crocodile.How fast could an Eryops move?The exact speed at which the Eryops could move is unknown. However, like alligators, the Eryops was faster in water as compared to its land locomotion speed. Based on fossil evidence, their weight, and body structure, it is speculated that it may not have been able to run either.How much did an Eryops weigh?The E. megacephalus was the largest land predator of the Early Permian epoch and its weight was around 400 lb (181 kg), around the same weight as a mature Siberian tiger.What were the male and female names of the species?There are no sex-specific names for the male or female of this species.What would you call a baby Eryops?Since the Eryops was an amphibian, their young ones would be called tadpoles, although they show a great difference from today’s tadpoles.What did they eat?Evidence suggests that the Eryops diet was carnivorous and mainly fed in swamps. Based on the classification and the structure of their strong jaws, they may have eaten small reptiles, fish, and other amphibians. It is also speculated that they would usually prefer fish and other animals from swamps because they were better predators in the water than on land.How aggressive were they?Although not much is known about its behavior, the Eryops was the largest land predator of the Permian period, especially with a head structurally made for killing. This may indicate that they would be fierce and aggressive while hunting or fighting rivals or predators.Did you know…Although the Eryops was a fierce predator, the Dimetrodon and the Orthacanthus, a primitive shark, are speculated to have preyed on it.Why is it called Eryops?The meaning of ‘Eryops’ is ‘drawn-out face’ and the elongated head of these Permian fossils, which made up a significant part of their body, was the reason why it got its name.Who discovered the Eryops?The fossils of these predators were discovered in the mid-19th century in the Texas Red Beds, and only in the Early Permian period rocks. The discoverer is unknown, but this species was named by E. D. Cope in 1887 based on its elongated, drawn-out head.Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly prehistoric animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other dinosaurs from our Haplocheirus facts and Iguanacolossus facts pages.You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Eryops coloring pages. Main image by GermanOle.
Was the Eryops a dinosaur?
No, the Eryops megacephalus was an amphibian and one of the largest animals of the Permian period, which was before the dinosaurs came into existence.
Fun Eryops Facts For Kids
What did they prey on? Small fish, amphibians, reptiles, terrestrial invertebrates
What did they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? N/A
How much did they weigh? 400 lb (181 kg)
How long were they? 4.9-9.8 ft (1.5-3.0 m)
How tall were they? N/A
What did they look like? Large, stubby crocodile-like body
Skin Type N/A
What were their main threats? Natural disasters
Where were they found? Semi-aquatic terrestrial habitats
Locations North America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Eryops
Class Amphibian
Family Eryopidae
Scientific Name Eryops megacephalus
How scary were they? 3
How loud were they? 1
How intelligent were they? 2
Fun Eryops Facts For Kids
What did they prey on? Small fish, amphibians, reptiles, terrestrial invertebrates
What did they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? N/A
How much did they weigh? 400 lb (181 kg)
How long were they? 4.9-9.8 ft (1.5-3.0 m)
How tall were they? N/A
What did they look like? Large, stubby crocodile-like body
Skin Type N/A
What were their main threats? Natural disasters
Where were they found? Semi-aquatic terrestrial habitats
Locations North America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Eryops
Class Amphibian
Family Eryopidae
Scientific Name Eryops megacephalus
How scary were they? 3
How loud were they? 1
How intelligent were they? 2
Fun Eryops Facts For Kids
What did they prey on? Small fish, amphibians, reptiles, terrestrial invertebrates
What did they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? N/A
How much did they weigh? 400 lb (181 kg)
How long were they? 4.9-9.8 ft (1.5-3.0 m)
How tall were they? N/A
What did they look like? Large, stubby crocodile-like body
Skin Type N/A
What were their main threats? Natural disasters
Where were they found? Semi-aquatic terrestrial habitats
Locations North America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Eryops
Class Amphibian
Family Eryopidae
Scientific Name Eryops megacephalus
How scary were they? 3
How loud were they? 1
How intelligent were they? 2
Fun Eryops Facts For Kids
What did they prey on? Small fish, amphibians, reptiles, terrestrial invertebrates
What did they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? N/A
How much did they weigh? 400 lb (181 kg)
How long were they? 4.9-9.8 ft (1.5-3.0 m)
How tall were they? N/A
What did they look like? Large, stubby crocodile-like body
Skin Type N/A
What were their main threats? Natural disasters
Where were they found? Semi-aquatic terrestrial habitats
Locations North America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Eryops
Class Amphibian
Family Eryopidae
Scientific Name Eryops megacephalus
How scary were they? 3
How loud were they? 1
How intelligent were they? 2
What did they prey on? Small fish, amphibians, reptiles, terrestrial invertebrates
What did they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? N/A
How much did they weigh? 400 lb (181 kg)
How long were they? 4.9-9.8 ft (1.5-3.0 m)
How tall were they? N/A
What did they look like? Large, stubby crocodile-like body
Skin Type N/A
What were their main threats? Natural disasters
Where were they found? Semi-aquatic terrestrial habitats
Locations North America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Eryops
Class Amphibian
Family Eryopidae
Scientific Name Eryops megacephalus
How scary were they? 3
How loud were they? 1
How intelligent were they? 2
What did they prey on? Small fish, amphibians, reptiles, terrestrial invertebrates
What did they eat? Carnivore
Average litter size? N/A
How much did they weigh? 400 lb (181 kg)
How long were they? 4.9-9.8 ft (1.5-3.0 m)
How tall were they? N/A
What did they look like? Large, stubby crocodile-like body
Skin Type N/A
What were their main threats? Natural disasters
What did they prey on?
Small fish, amphibians, reptiles, terrestrial invertebrates
What did they eat?
Carnivore
Average litter size?
N/A
How much did they weigh?
400 lb (181 kg)
How long were they?
4.9-9.8 ft (1.5-3.0 m)
How tall were they?
What did they look like?
Large, stubby crocodile-like body
Skin Type
What were their main threats?
Natural disasters
Where were they found? Semi-aquatic terrestrial habitats
Locations North America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Eryops
Class Amphibian
Family Eryopidae
Scientific Name Eryops megacephalus
How scary were they? 3
How loud were they? 1
How intelligent were they? 2
Where were they found?
Semi-aquatic terrestrial habitats
Locations
North America
Kingdom Animalia
Genus Eryops
Kingdom
Animalia
Genus
Eryops
Class Amphibian
Family Eryopidae
