Habrosaurus Temporal range: Late Maastrichtian – Paleocene | |
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A restored sketch sheet of Habrosaurus along with Tyrannosaurus rex (top) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Amphibia |
Order: | Caudata |
Family: | Sirenidae |
Genus: | †Habrosaurus Gilmore, 1933 |
Referred species | |
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Habrosaurus is an extinct genus of prehistoric salamander, and the oldest known member of the family Sirenidae. Two species are known, Habrosaurus prodilatus from the Campanian of Alberta, and Habrosaurus dilatus from the late Maastrichtian and Paleocene of western North America. It is relatively common in the Lance Formation of Wyoming, and less common in the Hell Creek of Montana. Habrosaurus was a large animal, about the size of the modern hellbender. The palate is specialized for crushing, with a series of blunt teeth arranged in rows, suggesting that Habrosaurus may have fed on hard-bodied prey such as crayfish or snails.
In Popular Culture[]
- Habrosaurus will appear in the upcoming game Saurian.