Rutiodon

Name meaning:

Wrinkled tooth

Period of life:

227-215 mya

Period:

Triassic period

Habitat:

Lakes and marshes

Taxonomy:

Reptiles

Countries:

Mastodonsaurus

Typothorax

Rutiodon (227-215 mya)

Meaning of the name: Wrinkled tooth

Rutiodon is a fossil genus of archosaurs from the order Phytosaurs. It lived during the Late Triassic period, around 220 million years ago. Rutiodon was one of the largest carnivorous animals in its habitat, reaching lengths of 3 to 8 meters. Like many phytosaurs, this predator strongly resembled a gharial, but its nostrils were located far back on the head, near the eyes, rather than at the tip of the snout as in its modern distant relatives. Rutiodon had enlarged front teeth and relatively narrow jaws, suggesting it primarily hunted fish, only occasionally attacking other animals. Like modern crocodiles, the back, sides, and tail of this phytosaur were covered in bony armored plates.

Discussions

No discussions yet

Start the first one!

Start a discussion