Species
Lystrosaurus
Dicynodon murrayiAlso known as Shovel Lizard, Shovel Reptile
Lystrosaurus dominated terrestrial ecosystems following the catastrophic Permian-Triassic extinction event, at times comprising up to ninety percent of all land vertebrates. Equipped with a stout barrel-shaped body, sprawling limbs, and a turtle-like horny beak flanked by two downward-pointing tusks, it efficiently cropped hardy seed ferns and dug for nutritious underground plant matter. Semi-fossorial habits and an exceptionally robust respiratory system likely helped it endure toxic atmospheric conditions and low oxygen levels that wiped out competing species.
HerbivorousFossil
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyDicroidium, Seed ferns, Plant tubers
Predators
- Proterosuchus
- Moschorhinus
ThreatsSevere drought, ecological collapse, and archosaur predators
HabitatsFloodplains, semi-arid basins, and riverbanks of Pangaea
Life span10–15 years (estimated)
Classification
- FamilyLystrosauridae
- SpeciesDicynodon murrayi
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Extinct prehistoric species known exclusively from fossil specimens.
Responsible observation
- Fossil Viewing: Look for the downturned face and prominent pair of tusks in museum skulls.
- Field Etiquette: Report exposed vertebrate fossils to local paleontologists rather than excavating them yourself.
Image unavailablePredator Predator 
Close Relative Kammerer CF. 2019. / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-saClose Relative
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