Mastodonsaurus fossil map
Where fossils of Mastodonsaurus have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 230 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 230 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early tetrapods & amphibians |
|---|---|
| Lived | 247–201.4 million years ago |
| Periods | Triassic |
| Named by | (Jaeger 1828) |
| Fossil records | 28 occurrences at 26 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Germany, UK, Russian Federation, Austria, France |
| Rock formations | Erfurt, Bromsgrove Sandstone, txn:NF, Bukobay, Upper Buntsandstein, Blue Anchor |
About Mastodonsaurus
Mastodonsaurus (meaning "teat tooth lizard") is an extinct genus of temnospondyl amphibian from the Middle Triassic of Europe. It remains one of the largest amphibians known in the fossil record, and may have exceeded 6 meters (20 feet) in length. Mastodonsaurus belongs to a Triassic group of stereospondyl temnospondyls called Capitosauria, characterized by their large body size, large flattened skulls, and probably predatory aquatic lifestyles analogous to some later crocodilian reptiles.
The gigantic size of Mastodonsaurus made it a top predator in lakes, swamps, river deltas, and other freshwater and brackish aquatic ecosystems. Huge jaws equipped with enlarged fangs and tusks, along with a powerful tail, suggest it was an underwater ambush hunter. Mastodonsaurus would have preyed mainly on fish and on smaller amphibians, but likely took on terrestrial animals that ventured into water as well. Given its heavy body mass and its relatively small limbs, Mastodonsaurus likely could not crawl onto land after reaching larger growth stages.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Mastodonsaurus (revision 1378845125), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 22 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q134300.
