Hylonomus
Name meaning:
Forest-dwelling
Period of life:
315-312 mya
Period:
Habitat:
Tropical and subtropical forests
Taxonomy:
Reptiles
Countries:
What does the name mean: forest-dwelling
Hylonomus is likely the oldest known reptile to scientists, living more than 300 million years ago. These small reptiles, up to 25 cm long, were similar to modern lizards. They led an active lifestyle and probably fed on small arthropods. These reptiles inhabited the swampy forests of the Carboniferous period in present-day Nova Scotia, Canada, surrounded by tree-like lycopsids (sigillaria) and tree-like horsetails (calamites).
Discussions
Other animals