Placodus might look like a goofy creature, as a marine reptile that lived during the Triassic period, about 240 million years ago - but it’s actually joining Monsters of the Deep.
From snout to tail, this ancient beast measured about six feet on average. Its name ‘Placodus’ means ‘flat tooth’ because its teeth were indeed flat – making them perfect for crunching shellfish.
Running down the middle of its back was a row of small bony plates, a physical trait that palaeontologists suspect was used to break up its shape as a form of camouflage, or perhaps to impress potential mates and intimidate rivals.
Placodus might look like a goofy creature, as a marine reptile that lived during the Triassic period, about 240 million years ago - but it’s actually joining Monsters of the Deep.
From snout to tail, this ancient beast measured about six feet on average. Its name ‘Placodus’ means ‘flat tooth’ because its teeth were indeed flat – making them perfect for crunching shellfish.
Running down the middle of its back was a row of small bony plates, a physical trait that palaeontologists suspect was used to break up its shape as a form of camouflage, or perhaps to impress potential mates and intimidate rivals.
