Reptile
Thrinaxodon liorhinus
Thrinaxodon liorhinusThrinaxodon was a cat-sized, burrow-dwelling cynodont that flourished across southern Pangaea in the wake of the Permian-Triassic extinction. Pits on its fossilized snout suggest the presence of sensory vibrissae, making it one of the earliest known animals with mammalian-style whiskers and potential fur. Exceptional fossil finds preserve individuals curled tightly inside underground burrows, sometimes famously sharing shelter with injured temnospondyl amphibians.
PrehistoricBurrowingCarnivorous
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyEarly insects, Small reptiles, Procolophonids
Predators
- Proterosuchus fergusi
- Erythrosuchus africanus
ThreatsLarger archosauromorph predators and aridification (extinct)
HabitatsSemi-arid floodplains, river basins, and subterranean burrows
Life spanApproximately 5–10 years
Classification
- FamilyThrinaxodontidae
- GenusThrinaxodon
- SpeciesThrinaxodon liorhinus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Extinct species known solely from Early Triassic fossil deposits.
Responsible observation
- Fossil Identification: Look for a secondary palate and specialized multicusped cheek teeth.
- Field Ethics: Report suspected fossil finds to local museum authorities rather than digging them out.
Burrow Sharer Vincent Fernandez, Fernando Abdala, Kristian J. Carlson, Della Collins Cook, Bruce S. Rubidge, Adam Yates, Paul Tafforeau / CC BY-SA 2.5 · cc-by-sa
Ecosystem Neighbor Rama / CC BY-SA 2.0 fr · cc-by-sa
Predator Foth et al. / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Sandra C. Jasinoski, Fernando Abdala / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
Cynodont Relative Emőke Dénes / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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