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Description

A selection of the large carnivorous therapsids, known as gorgonopsids, to scale.

Following the demise of the dinocephalians in the mid Permian, the apex predator niche was taken over by gorgonopsids in ecosystems in Russia and Southern Africa. One notable feature of this group is the pair of sabre-teeth in the upper jaw. The dentition after the canines is much reduced in size. Hunting was probably sit-and-wait ambush, before grappling prey and delivering a deep fatal bite. Inostrancevia and Rubidgea were two of the largest species known. I have followed the modern interpretation of gorgonopsids, like many therapsids, as being furred and with whiskers.

Description

A selection of the large carnivorous therapsids, known as gorgonopsids, to scale.

Following the demise of the dinocephalians in the mid Permian, the apex predator niche was taken over by gorgonopsids in ecosystems in Russia and Southern Africa. One notable feature of this group is the pair of sabre-teeth in the upper jaw. The dentition after the canines is much reduced in size. Hunting was probably sit-and-wait ambush, before grappling prey and delivering a deep fatal bite. Inostrancevia and Rubidgea were two of the largest species known. I have followed the modern interpretation of gorgonopsids, like many therapsids, as being furred and with whiskers.