A fast nostalgic dive into the previous. Certainly one of my favorite prehistoric animals from childhood was the enormous temnospondyl Eryops megacephalus. Its fossils are recognized from the Texas Purple Beds from the Lonestar state. With its large, sturdy physique and big head, it sparked my creativeness and curiosity. Of the various photos of prehistoric animals in my childhood books, Eryops stood out. It resembles a cross between a crocodile and a frog.

This will not be probably the most correct reconstruction of this Permian predator.  For instance, the top seems a bit of too small to me.  As well as, the hind limbs had been maybe extra sturdy.  Nevertheless, having 5 toes on every hind foot, that’s correct.

Eryops megacephalus illustrated.

A guide from my childhood displaying a life reconstruction of Eryops megacephalus. Image credit score: All the pieces Dinosaur.

Image credit score: All the pieces Dinosaur

Eryops megacephalus Illustrated

The Eryops illustration comes from a guide entitled “Dinosaurs”.   It was a part of the Ladybird sequence.  The illustration is certainly one of a number of that present a preamble explaining life within the Palaeozoic earlier than the Dinosauria are launched.

The ladybird book of dinosaurs inspiring a fascination for dinosaur models.

The Ladybird guide of dinosaurs. One of many first dinosaur books owned by a workforce member. Image credit score: All the pieces Dinosaur.

Image credit score: All the pieces Dinosaur

Identical to the Eryops illustration, lots of the dinosaur drawings are actually outdated.  Furthermore, a lot of the knowledge featured on this guide is now inaccurate.  Nevertheless, these books had been extraordinarily fashionable and helped gasoline a lifelong ardour for science and studying concerning the previous.

To learn an earlier submit that includes this Ladybird guide: Dinosaur Books from Childhood.

Eryops megacephalus skeleton on display.

An exhibit that includes a reconstruction of the skeleton of the enormous Permian temnospondyl Eryops. This skeleton forged is on show on the London Pure Historical past Museum.  Image credit score: All the pieces Dinosaur.

Image credit score: All the pieces Dinosaur

I suppose Eryops will all the time be certainly one of my favorite prehistoric animals.

The award-winning All the pieces Dinosaur web site: Dinosaur Toys.