Moschops

extinct · permian · therapsid · herbivore

Giant extinct herbivore. Moschops was a huge plant-eating animal that lived about 264 million years ago in what is now South Africa, weighing at least 400 kilograms (about as much as a grand piano).

Thick-headed battler. This creature had a short, stocky body and an unusually thick skull, which scientists believe it used to headbutt rivals just like modern rams and goats do when fighting.

Ancient swamp dweller. Some experts think Moschops may have lived a semi-aquatic life similar to hippopotamuses today, spending time in water and on land, though scientists still debate this.

Distant relative of mammals. Moschops belonged to a group called therapsids, which were ancient reptiles that were actually distant ancestors of all mammals, including humans.