Metoposaurus fossil map
Where fossils of Metoposaurus 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 | 237–201.4 million years ago (Carnian to Rhaetian) |
| Periods | Triassic |
| Family | Metoposauridae |
| Named by | Lydekker 1890 |
| Fossil records | 30 occurrences at 25 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Germany, United States, India, Poland, Morocco, France, Portugal, Italy, Canada, Austria |
| Rock formations | Hassberge, Stuttgart, Weser, Tiki, Dockum, Raibl |
About Metoposaurus
Metoposaurus meaning "front lizard" is an extinct genus of stereospondyl temnospondyls, known from the Late Triassic of Germany, Italy, Poland, and Portugal. This animal was mostly aquatic, possessing small, weak limbs, sharp teeth, and a large, flat head. This highly flattened creature mainly fed on fish, which it captured with its wide jaws lined with needle-like teeth. Many Metoposaurus mass graves have been found, probably from creatures that grouped together in drying pools during drought.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Metoposaurus (revision 1371903788), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q2326287.
