We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Biology

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Eryops?

Michael Anissimov
By
Updated: May 21, 2024
Views: 9,032
Share

Eryops was a temnospondyl (large and very ancient amphibian) averaging 1.5-2.0 m (5-6 ft) in length whose name means “drawn out face.” It lived during the Permian period, about 295 million years ago, and most fossils are found in the Admiral Formation of Archer County, Texas. Eryops is thought to have been one of the largest land animals of its time, as land animals themselves had only evolved from fish about 40 million years prior. One of the only larger animals living at the time was the cow-sized, sailbacked Dimetrodon, which probably hunted Eryops. Eryops lived at least 70 million years before the dinosaurs.

Eryops is the most famous Paleozoic amphibian and an interesting example of natural engineering. Having evolved from lobe-finned fish, Eryops retained many fish-like characteristics but adapted them for land life. Like some fish, Eryops had a gaping maw and a large head relative to its body. The head as much as two feet long, pretty impressive for an animal that is only about 5 feet long itself. In fact, the primary Eryops species is named Eryops megacephalus, meaning “big head.” Like other amphibians, Eryops was a swamp-dweller.

Being little more than a fish with cursory adaptations for land life, Eryops used most of its walking strength just keeping its body off the ground. This was a slow and difficult chore, accomplishing with strong, sprawling limbs. Its short, broad strides are preserved as fossilized footprints. Erect limbs would not evolve in animals until tens of millions of years later.

Eryops ate fish, small reptiles and amphibians, and the numerous invertebrates, such as insects, available in a terrestrial world with barely any predatory tetrapods. Like modern crocodiles, Eryops was a stealth hunter – it couldn’t hunt any other way, being very slow – and probably sat quietly in the water with only its eyes and nostrils visible. It had a short tail, suggesting it also lacked the ability to move quickly in the water, and could only have existed in a world where the terrestrial carnivore niche had just begun to be exploited.

Share
All The Science is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Michael Anissimov
By Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated All The Science contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology, astronomy, chemistry, and futurism to his articles. An avid blogger, Michael is deeply passionate about stem cell research, regenerative medicine, and life extension therapies. His professional experience includes work with the Methuselah Foundation, Singularity Institute for Artificial Intelligence, and Lifeboat Foundation, further showcasing his commitment to scientific advancement.
Discussion Comments
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov
Michael Anissimov is a dedicated All The Science contributor and brings his expertise in paleontology, physics, biology...
Learn more
Share
https://www.allthescience.org/what-is-eryops.htm
Copy this link
All The Science, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

All The Science, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.