7 Animals That Existed Even Before Dinosaurs

By Afiur
January 15, 2026

Dimetrodon

Dimetrodon was a large, reptile-like carnivore with a distinctive sail on its back.

They lived during the early Permian period, around 40 million years before dinosaurs.

Meganeura

A giant dragonfly-like insect with a wingspan of up to 70 cm that lived around 300 million years ago.

It was a powerful predator that hunted insects and small vertebrates, using sharp mandibles and excellent vision.

Inostrancevia

This huge carnivorous animal lived during the late Permian period, about 250 million years ago.

It was among the largest Gorgonopsids, a group of predators known for their long, saber-like canine teeth.

Estemmenosuchus

Found around 267 million years ago, it had a massive head with horns, crests, and bumps of different shapes and sizes.

Cotylorhynchus

It was an early Permian giant land animal with a small head, short neck and barrel-shaped body.

Scutosaurus

It was a heavily armoured late Permian reptile with bony plates, spikes and horned features for protection.

Helicoprion

It was a prehistoric shark-like fish best known for its unique spiral-shaped tooth whorl in the lower jaw.

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