Cochleosaurus

Cok-lee-oh-sore-us.
By Benjamin Gutierrez
Published on

Benjamin Gutierrez

Vertebrate Paleontologist

Benjamin Gutierrez is a leading expert on dinosaurs, particularly the mighty theropods. His fieldwork in South America has uncovered new species and provided insights into dinosaur social structures.

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Gutierrez, B. (2014, January 24). Cochleosaurus. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/cochleosaurus/

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Name

Cochleosaurus (Ear lizard).

Phonetic

Cok-lee-oh-sore-us.

Named By

Fritsch - 1885.

Classification

Chordata, Amphibia, Temnospondyli, Edopoidea, Cochleosauridae.

Diet

Carnivore.

Species

C. bohemicus, C.florensis

Size

Up to 1.6 meters long.

Known locations

Czech Republic, N�řany. Canada, Nova Scotia.

Time Period

Moscovian of the Carboniferous.

Fossil representation

Around 50 known specimens.

In Depth

       Despite its name, Cochleosaurus was actually an amphibian. The skull is quite flat and features an ear structure better adapted for use on the land. Some have considered Cochleosaurus to have been an ambush hunter similar to crocodiles today.

Further Reading

– The edopoid amphibian Cochleosaurus from the middle Pennsylvanian of Nova Scotia. Palaeontology 23:143-150 – O. Rieppel – 1980.

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