7 Fascinating Animals That Existed on Earth Long Before Dinosaurs

By Harshit
January 15, 2026

Dimetrodon

Dimetrodon was a large, reptile-like predator best known for the tall sail on its back.

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

Meganeura

A massive dragonfly-like insect with a wingspan reaching up to 70 cm, it lived around 300 million years ago.

It was a formidable predator that preyed on insects and small vertebrates, relying on sharp mandibles and keen eyesight.

Inostrancevia

This massive carnivore lived during the late Permian period, around 250 million years ago.

It was one of the largest gorgonopsids, predators distinguished by their long, saber-like canine teeth.

Estemmenosuchus

Dating back about 267 million years, it featured a massive head adorned with horns, crests, and bony bumps of varying shapes and sizes.

Cotylorhynchus

It was a giant land animal from the early Permian, marked by a small head, short neck, and barrel-shaped body.

Scutosaurus

It was a heavily armoured reptile from the late Permian, protected by bony plates, spikes, and horn-like features.

Helicoprion

It was a prehistoric shark-like fish, famous for the distinctive spiral-shaped tooth whorl in its lower jaw.

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