Diplocaulus

extinct amphibians · weird skulls · ancient creatures

Boomerang-shaped skull. Diplocaulus had one of the most unusual skulls of any ancient animal, shaped like a wide boomerang that stuck out from both sides of its head. Scientists think this odd shape might have helped it swim or made it harder for predators to swallow.

Lived in two continents. Diplocaulus roamed swamps and rivers in North America and Africa during the Carboniferous and Permian periods, when these continents looked completely different from today.

Biggest of its kind. Among all the lepospondyls (a group of small, strange amphibians), Diplocaulus was by far the largest and most successful, which is why we know more about it than its relatives.

Lasted a very long time. Diplocaulus survived for millions and millions of years, from the Late Carboniferous period all the way through to the Late Permian, when it finally disappeared along with many other ancient creatures.