Cochleosaurus

Cochleosaurus Temporal range: Late Carboniferous
Cochleosaurus bohemicus skull at the Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Amphibia
Order:	Temnospondyli
Superfamily:	Edopoidea
Family:	Cochleosauridae
Genus:	Cochleosaurus
Species:	Cochleosaurus bohemicus

Restoration

Cochleosaurus is a name of a tetrapod belonging to Temnospondyli, which lived during the late Carboniferous period (Moscovian, about 310 millions years ago). The great abundance of its remains (about 50 specimen) was found in Czech Republic, near Nýřany. It was a creature of medium size, measuring 120-160 centimeters. It is believed that Cochleosaurus was a semi-aquatic ambush predator, hunting like modern crocodiles.

References

• http://paleodb.org/cgi-bin/bridge.pl?action=checkTaxonInfo&taxon_no=37001&is_real_user=0
• http://www.palaeos.com/Paleozoic/Carboniferous/Moscovian.htm
• http://www.palaeos.com/Vertebrates/Units/160Temnospondyli/100.html#Euskelia

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