A fast nostalgic dive into the previous. Certainly one of my favorite prehistoric animals from childhood was the large temnospondyl Eryops megacephalus. Its fossils are identified from the Texas Purple Beds from the Lonestar state. With its extensive, sturdy physique and big head, it sparked my creativeness and curiosity. Of the various photos of prehistoric animals in my childhood books, Eryops stood out. It resembles a cross between a crocodile and a frog.
This is probably not essentially the most correct reconstruction of this Permian predator. For instance, the top seems a little bit too small to me. As well as, the hind limbs had been maybe extra sturdy. Nevertheless, having 5 toes on every hind foot, that’s correct.
A guide from my childhood displaying a life reconstruction of Eryops megacephalus. Image credit score: Every little thing Dinosaur.
Image credit score: Every little thing Dinosaur
Eryops megacephalus Illustrated
The Eryops illustration comes from a guide entitled “Dinosaurs”. It was a part of the Ladybird collection. The illustration is considered one of a number of that present a preamble explaining life within the Palaeozoic earlier than the Dinosauria are launched.
The Ladybird guide of dinosaurs. One of many first dinosaur books owned by a workforce member. Image credit score: Every little thing Dinosaur.
Image credit score: Every little thing Dinosaur
Identical to the Eryops illustration, lots of the dinosaur drawings are actually outdated. Furthermore, a lot of the data featured on this guide is now inaccurate. Nevertheless, these books had been extraordinarily common and helped gasoline a lifelong ardour for science and studying in regards to the previous.
To learn an earlier put up that includes this Ladybird guide: Dinosaur Books from Childhood.
An exhibit that includes a reconstruction of the skeleton of the large Permian temnospondyl Eryops. This skeleton forged is on show on the London Pure Historical past Museum. Image credit score: Every little thing Dinosaur.
Image credit score: Every little thing Dinosaur
I suppose Eryops will at all times be considered one of my favorite prehistoric animals.
The award-winning Every little thing Dinosaur web site: Dinosaur Toys.
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