Cynognathus

extinct · therapsid · Triassic · predator

Mammal-like teeth. Cynognathus had different types of teeth, much like modern mammals do, instead of the identical teeth you'd find in most reptiles. This special tooth arrangement helped it eat meat efficiently.

Southern continents only. Fossils of Cynognathus have only been found in South Africa, Argentina, Antarctica, and Namibia, showing it lived in the southern hemisphere during the Middle Triassic period.

Built like a hunter. Cynognathus was a large predator with a powerful body designed for chasing and catching prey, making it one of the most successful hunters of its time.

Bridge to mammals. Cynognathus belonged to a group called cynodonts that were more closely related to mammals than to dinosaurs or other reptiles, making it part of our own distant family tree.

Middle Triassic resident. Cynognathus lived during the Middle Triassic period, which was long before the age of dinosaurs reached its peak.