“240 Million-Year-Old Fossil of Giant Amphibian with Tusks and Gnarly Teeth Identified”

A 240 million-year-old fossil discovered by an Australian chicken farmer has been identified as a stout amphibian with tusks and sharp teeth. The fossil, named “Arenaerpeton supinatus”, belonged to a group of extinct animals called “temnospondyls”. The nearly intact specimen provides valuable insights into Australia’s fossil heritage and prehistoric creatures. This discovery contributes to our understanding of ancient amphibians and prehistoric biodiversity. Fagen Wasanni Technologies reported

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In the 1990s, a perplexing fossil was stumbled upon by an Australian chicken farmer named Mihail Mihailidis. This 240 million-year-old fossil, discovered while Mihailidis was cleaning a sandstone slab intended for his garden, has now been identified as a robust amphibian possessing tusks and formidable teeth. Scientists have long been confounded by this almost complete specimen, but it has recently been revealed to be a hefty amphibian measuring 1.2 meters in length, resembling a fusion of a crocodile and a colossal salamander. This creature likely fed on freshwater fish, utilizing its sharp teeth and a pair of tusk-like protuberances on the roof of its mouth.

Termed “Arenaerpeton supinatus,” this creature belonged to a group of extinct animals known as “temnospondyls,” which thrived prior to the era of dinosaurs. The fossil was subjected to x-rays with the assistance of Australia’s border force, utilizing a large scanner typically employed for detecting prohibited items in cargo. The fossil was unearthed in the mid-1990s near Umina Beach in New South Wales.

The identification of this fossil holds considerable significance, as it stands as one of the most noteworthy discoveries in the region over the past three decades. It imparts invaluable knowledge about Australia’s fossil heritage and the ancient creatures that once traversed the planet. The findings have been documented in the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology.

In essence, this revelation illuminates the existence of ancient amphibians that inhabited the Earth millions of years ago, thereby enhancing our comprehension of prehistoric biodiversity..