Oldest Fossil Footprints of Reptile-Like Animal Discovered in Australia
Oldest known fossil footprints of a reptile-like animal discovered in Australia, dated to around 350 million years ago, reshaping understanding of land evolution timeline.
Key Points
- Oldest known fossil footprints of a reptile-like animal found in Australia, dating back to 350 million years ago
- Reptile-like feet with long toes and hooked claws identified in the footprints
- Animal estimated to be around 2 1/2 feet long and resembled a modern monitor lizard
- Discovery challenges previous assumptions about the speed of animals transitioning to live exclusively on land
- Fossil footprints provide insight into the environmental conditions and behavior of ancient reptiles
Pros
- Discovery sheds new light on the timeline of animals evolving to live exclusively on land
- Provides insight into the early stages of land-dwelling animal development
Cons
- None of significant importance