Sphenacodon Fossil range: Early Permian PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N
Pair of Sphenacodon.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Synapsida
Order:	Pelycosauria
Family:	Sphenacodontidae
Genus:	Sphenacodon
Species
Sphenacodon britannicus (Huene, 1908) Sphenacodon ferox Marsh, 1878 Sphenacodon ferocior Romer, 1937

Sphenacodon was a pelycosaur that was about 3 metres (9.8 ft) in length. Sphenacodon belongs to the family Sphenacodontidae, a lineage that was related to the therapsids. It lived in the Early Permian in present day Texas and New Mexico.

Sphenacodon's vertebral spines were long, and probably acted as attachment points for massive back muscles, allowing the animal to lunge powerfully at its prey. It was closely related to Dimetrodon, but lacked the large "sail" of that animal. It had heavy jaws with powerful teeth, including long canines and cutting cheek teeth, which indicate that it was probably carnivorous. ^[1]

[edit] Gallery

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Restoration of Sphenacodon

Alternative restoration of Sphenacodon

Third restoration of Sphenacodon

Speculative restoration of Sphenacodon britannicus

[edit] See also

• List of synapsids

• Edaphosaurus
• Haptodus

[edit] References

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