Anteosaurus magnificus

Anteosaurus magnificus dominated Middle Permian floodplains as an agile apex predator equipped with thickened cranial bones likely used for head-pushing or grappling. Neurosensory reconstructions reveal well-developed inner ears and coordination centers, indicating it was an active hunter capable of tracking and ambushing massive prey. As the largest carnivorous non-mammalian synapsid known, it sat at the pinnacle of ancient terrestrial food webs before vanishing during the end-Guadalupian extinction event.