Titanosuchus ferox

This large Tapinocephalian from the Middle to Late Permian of South Africa is known from many fragmentary remains including several skull elements and was most probably like its relative Jonkeria and contrary to a common belief making it a ferocious predator (its name means "ferocious giant crocodile"), a peaceful plant-eater. Titanosuchus was named in 1879 by Richard Owen, It is estimated that Titanosuchus was around 2.5 metres (8 feet) in length

Name

Titanosuchus ferox

Authority

Owen, 1879

Meaning of generic name

Giant crocodile

Size

Skull length: , Length: 2.5 m

Remains

Large amount of skull fragments and postcranial elements.

Age and Distribution

Horizon: Tapinocephalus assemblage zone, Middle Permian (Capitanian).

Type locality: Beaufort West, Karoo basin, South Africa.

Classification

Synapsida Therapsida Dinocephalia Tapinocephalia Titanosuchidae

Further Reading

Owen, R., 1879. Description of fragmentary Indications of a Huge kind of Theriodont Reptile (Titanosuchus ferox, Ow.) from Beaufort West, Gough Tract, Cape of Good Hope: Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London, v. 35, p. 189-199.

Synonyms

Scapanodon duplessisi Broom, 1904; Titanosuchus duplessisi (Broom, 1904); Scapanodon septemfontis Boonstra, 1955; Titanosuchus septemfontis Boonstra, 1955; Parascapanodon avifontis Boonstra, 1955; Titanosuchus avifontis Boonstra, 1955